Sweat and Defeat: Bayern Burns in Charlotte as Benfica Claims Victory
Despite the scorching heat and persistent damp conditions, FC Bayern Muenchen finds itself in a heated predicament as the dampers cause discomfort.
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In the heat of Charlotte's furnace, FC Bayern Munich suffered a 0:1 loss to Benfica Lisbon, surrendering a valuable group victory in the Club World Cup. The Munich team was too sluggish for much of the game and could only wake up after the break. Despite their efforts, they failed to capitalize on their chances, leading to a heartbreaking defeat.
The defeat marked FC Bayern Munich's first in a Club World Cup, and they now advance to the round of 16 as the second team in Group C. Their next opponent will be Flamengo, who defeated Chelsea in group D, on Sunday at 10:00 PM CET (DAZN and Sat.1). The quarter-finals could pit them against Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami, featuring the world-renowned Lionel Messi.
Andreas Schjelderup scored the game's only goal for Benfica in the 13th minute. After-half substitutions saw Bayern step up their game, but they continually missed good opportunities. Leroy Sané, in particular, missed several close-range shots. A consolation prize for the Bavarians: they earned around €40 million in prize money.
Weather Conditions:Temperatures reached 42°C with feels-like temperatures exceeding that mark. The pitch's condition was dull, adding to the difficulty of the game. Vincent Kompany, Bayern's coach, admitted that the weather conditions would impact the game. Owing to this, he made seven changes to his starting lineup, hoping for more energy from the new players.
Despite the heat, Bayern's disorganized defense allowed Benfica to take control in the first half. Manuel Neuer managed to parry a shot from Angel Di María, but a lax pass from Sacha Boey gifted Andreas Schjelderup the opportunity to score.
After the break, Bayern stepped up their game, but they continued to miss chances. Serge Gnabry created the team's best opportunity before halftime, but Leroy Sané blew it past the goal. The introduction of Joshua Kimmich, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane after halftime added urgency to Bayern's attack, but Anatolii Trubin, Benfica's goalkeeper, continued to stand tall.
Kimmich's supposed equalizer was disallowed due to an offside call on Harry Kane. In the final minutes, Leroy Sané missed yet another opportunity, ensuring Benfica's victory and their place atop Group C.
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/sid
- FC Bayern Munich
- Benfica Lisbon
- Club World Cup 2025
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive, expressing their views on the potential impact of the Club World Cup 2025 on sports policies and regulations. In the midst of their preparations, Bayern Munich players were seen engaging in a friendly game of football during training sessions.
