Benfica's Strategic Perspective in the Club World Cup, as Anselmi's Complexity Meter Swings into Action
Smashed It, The Ball Was the Difference-Maker
In the epic showdown against Bayern Munich at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Benfica (the Reds) pulled off a fantastic victory, becoming the only Portuguese team to make it to the knockout phase. Here's the inside scoop on how they did it.
The Red Rebels
Reporting by Diogo Pombo, Sports EditorTomás da Cunha, Football Analyst and CommentatorRui Malheiro, Football AnalystTomás Delfim, Correspondent
The Secret Sauce
The Battle of the Reds against Bayern Munich brought a fresh, calculated approach from Benfica that managed to outsmart the German giants, earning them the historic distinction of being the lone Portuguese team to qualify for the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Let's dive into the details. Andreas Schjelderup capitalized on an early opportunity to score a stunning first-time finish off a low cross from Fredrik Aursnes, catching Bayern off-guard and putting Benfica ahead only 13 minutes into the game. This quick, clinical strike disrupted Bayern's defense and placed Benfica in a commanding position.
Heat of the Moment
After taking the lead, Benfica shifted their focus to a rock-solid defense, relying on their goalie's lightning-fast reflexes to ward off Bayern's relentless attacks, despite the Germans dominating possession and firing numerous attempts to even the score. The extreme heat and Bayern's rotated lineup might have impacted their urgency and shooting accuracy. Benfica's goalie pulled off some key saves, including thwarting Leroy Sané and Thomas Müller, which ultimately sealed the 1-0 victory[1][2].
Pragmatic Power
Their disciplined, no-nonsense style - scoring early and then protecting their lead against a dominant opponent - proved to be the winning tactic that allowed Benfica to claim the first victory over Bayern Munich in 14 meetings.
As a result of their triumph, Benfica topped Group C and advanced to the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup. Facing other qualifying teams such as Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis, they secured their spot in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Bayern, finishing second, squared off against Flamengo[1][2].
Game Changers
- Benfica's gutsy gamble of making an early, impactful goal and setting up a solid defensive wall succeeded against a powerful opponent.
- They excelled while enduring challenging playing circumstances and Bayern's repeated attacks.
- This innovative strategy helped Benfica achieve a storied victory over Bayern Munich, making them the only Portuguese team to qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup knockout stages[1][2].
In the heat of the match against Bayern Munich, Benfica's early goal scored by Andreas Schjelderup, capitalizing on Fredrik Aursnes' low cross, showcased a calculated approach in football, disrupting Bayern's defense and giving the Reds a commanding lead. Despite Bayern dominating possession and numerous attacks, Benfica's disciplined defense and impressive goalkeeping thwarted Leroy Sané and Thomas Müller, securing a historic 1-0 victory in sports, making them the first Portuguese team to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
