Armed Boca fans rampage ahead of Libertadores clash in Paraguay

Players of Argentina’s Boca Juniors celebrate after their 2-1 victory over Paraguay's Cerro Porteno at the end of the Copa Libertadores 2016 match at Defensores del Chaco Stadium, in Asuncion, on April, 28, 2016. PHOTO | PABLO BURGOS |

What you need to know:

  • Boca went on to win the game 2-1 in the first leg of the knockout round of the Copa Libertadores.

ASUNCION

Police arrested 237 Boca Juniors fans after they went on an armed rampage ahead of a Copa Libertadores clash in Paraguay, smashing up vehicles and looting homes.

Terrified residents in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion said some of the Argentine club's supporters were armed with guns in the rioting and robbery before Thursday's game against the local side Cerro Porteno.

The fans, who were in custody on Friday, arrived in buses and cars and reacted after they were goaded by Cerro supporters on their way to the stadium, police said.

Lidia Rosa Duarte told reporters that Boca fans raided her home and "destroyed everything."

"I stuck my kids under the bed and none of us moved because they were all armed," she said, saying how the hooligans grabbed food and beer and shot in the air to keep people back.

At least five homes were ransacked while others had their windows smashed.

Boca went on to win the game 2-1 in the first leg of the knockout round of the Copa Libertadores.