When the dust settled on June 24, Benfica topped Group C of the Club World Cup with seven points, followed by Bayern Munich on six points, Boca Juniors in third with two, and Auckland City bottom with one.
Benfica: Europa’s Steady Rise to Group Leaders
Benfica earned their spot thanks to a strong UEFA coefficient, backed by a domestic campaign that landed them one of Europe’s club slots.
The first day brought a wild 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in Miami, capping off a charged affair.
The game gave us four goals – an own goal included – and three red cards.
Two days later in Orlando, they demolished Auckland City 6-0. Ángel Di María was among the scorers, netting in a late penalty.
With four points in the bank, their final nail came on June 24.
In what many expected to be a straightforward win for the German side, Benfica triumphed with a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.
Andreas Schjelderup struck early in the 13th minute in the heat of Charlotte.
Seven points later, Group C was theirs.
Their Round of 16 opponents? Premier League side and Conference League winners Chelsea.
Bayern Munich: Rampaging Start, Steady Finish
Bayern Munich cruised into the Club World Cup as Bundesliga champions, starting with a statement: a 10 – 0 demolition of Auckland City in Cincinnati on June 15.
Matchday 2 against Boca Juniors delivered another solid 2-1 win in Miami Gardens, with chemistry strong under Vincent Kompany’s rotations.
Their final test against Benfica proved trickier.
Despite possession, Bayern failed to make a single shot in the first half; Schjelderup’s early strike decided it and sent them settling for second with six points.
A mixed bag of ruthless scoring and fade-out. Progress claimed, but not without concerns.
The German side will face Flamengo in the RO16.
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Boca Juniors: Colossal Clash, Narrow Exit
Boca Juniors joined the Club World Cup via their 2023 Copa Libertadores credentials.
They grabbed a point with that thrilling 2-2 opener against Benfica – tension, own goals, penalties, red cards, you name it.
But their push stalled. Bayern edged them 2-1 in their next game.
The finale in Nashville – tied 1-1 with Auckland but struck by storm delays – sealed their fate.
The draw wasn’t enough. Out with only two points, Boca Juniors’ run ends in heartbreak.
Auckland City: Part-Time Heroes, Full-Time Heart
As OFC Champions League winners for the 12th time in 15 seasons, Auckland City arrived as amateurs among giants.
Their Club World Cup journey in the US began rough.
A 10-0 loss to Bayern was a bitter introduction, and was followed by another thrashing, this time a 6-0 loss to Benfica.
However, they found redemption. In Nashville, they drew 1-1 with Argentine side Boca Juniors.
Part-time centre-back and part-time teacher Christian Gray headed in the equaliser, prompting global headlines and praise from FIFA’s Infantino.
That point was symbolic as much as historic: their first-ever in this format, leaving the tournament undefeated in spirit, if not on the scoreboard.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 25.06.2025