Daniele De Rossi scores on Boca Juniors debut but in vain as his side slump to shock defeat
DANIELE DE ROSSI smashed home a header on his Boca Juniors debut but they still crashed out of the Copa Argentina to minnows Almagro.
After signing from Roma, the veteran Italian directed a corner kick coolly passed the goalkeeper from close-range.
The goal sparked wild celebrations, but Boca managed to fluff their lines, drawing 1-1 before losing 3-1 on penalties.
Facing second-tier Almagro was set to be a cruise for the Argentine giants but they fell out of the cup competition at the round-of-32 stage.
Juan Manuel Martinez levelled the score on 82 minutes and the tie went to penalties.
Former Manchester City star Carlos Tevez stepped up to score for Boca but the visitors to La Bombonera only needed three spot-kicks.
A stunning collapse saw Boca miss three in a row, capped off by ex-Benfica and Atletico Madrid winger Eduardo Salvio failing the decisive kick.
The tournament was revived in 2011 after a long break.
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But De Rossi will have to look elsewhere now for first season glory in Buenos Aires.
Just two games into the new campaign, Boca are fifth in the league with a win and a draw.
And they are into the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores having knocked out Brazil's Athletico Paranaense to set up a clash with Ecuadorian champions LDU Quito.
De Rossi surprised many this summer when leaving Roma for Argentina, ending his 19-year association with the Italian capital club - where he made over 600 appearances.