Opponents of Bayern are stirring up issues during the club championship.
Share on Facebook Tweet this Share on Whatsapp Email this Print this Copy Link
While FC Bayern Munich enters the Club World Cup with a sense of calm and high spirits, their group opponents provide an exhilarating and tension-filled prelude.
Bayern Munich's sporting director, Max Eberl, anticipated the second group match against Boca Juniors to be a fiery encounter. The match between Boca and Benfica Lisbon, held in Miami, was marked by four goals, three red cards, and dramatic scenes, with a total attendance of 55,574 spectators.
On Saturday evening CET, the much-anticipated clash between the two most accomplished football clubs from Germany and Argentina will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium.
"A Game on Another Level"
A win for Bayern in this highly-anticipated duel, following Vincent Kompany's team's resounding 10-0 victory against Auckland City, would secure a spot in the round of 16.
After their opening win in Cincinnati, Eberl shared his expectations for the Boca game: "Orlando is about 370 kilometers away from Miami, and we heard that many Latinos will fill the stadium. So it will be a very intense, beautiful atmosphere against an opponent who has a big name in South America and around the world. It will be a game on another level, against the fans, in a great place, in a great stadium."
Boca Squanders 2-Goal Lead
On Monday evening local time, the Bayern squad, stationed in their base camp in Orlando, had the opportunity to watch the Boca professionals take the field with fervor. The Club World Cup is a significant endeavor for them.
The 35-time champion, however, surrendered a 2-goal advantage after strikes from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia. Two Argentines, Ángel Di María with a penalty and Nicolás Otamendi with a header, levelled the score for Benfica. Notably, the former Bayern player Renato Sanches was part of Benfica's starting lineup.
In the hotly-contested second half, Lisbon's defender Andrea Belotti and Boca's Nicolás Figal received red cards for brutal tackles, with Figal missing the Bayern game due to suspension.
Security Guard Stops Riot
The Boca bench was a tinderbox during the controversial penalty for Lisbon just before halftime. The injured substitute Ander Herrera attempted to confront referee César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos from Mexico when he reviewed his penalty decision on the video screen.
A security guard in a shirt had to restrain Herrera to maintain order, and the referee eventually showed him a red card. Tensions are high for Bayern, especially with Boca needing a win in their second group match.
Source: ntv.de, ter/dpa
Football Club World Cup 2025
Enrichment Data:
There is no record of Boca Juniors and Benfica Lisbon meeting in the Club World Cup 2023. It appears that the recent notable match between these two clubs occurred during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup—not 2023.
The 2025 Club World Cup Group C match (Boca Juniors vs Benfica) summary:
- Outcome: The match ended in a 2-2 draw[2].
- Key Events:
- Boca Juniors led 2-0 with goals from Miguel Merentiel (21st minute) and Rodrigo Battaglia (27th minute).
- Benfica came back: Ángel Di María scored a penalty in first-half stoppage time, and Nicolás Otamendi equalized in the 84th minute.
- Discipline: The game was intense and ill-tempered, featuring:
- Three red cards: Boca's Ander Herrera (44th minute, for protesting), Benfica's Andrea Belotti (72nd minute, for a high boot), and Boca's Nicolás Figal (88th minute, for a foul).
- Four yellow cards and 22 fouls.
- Atmosphere: Most of the 55,574 crowd at Hard Rock Stadium supported Boca Juniors, creating a home-like environment. Strong police presence ensured order.
- Other details: Both teams finished with ten men, and Boca’s Figal was sent off after being substituted due to injury[2].
No Group C match between Boca Juniors and Benfica Lisbon is documented for the 2023 Club World Cup in available sources. If you are seeking information about a different tournament or year, please clarify.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding football, considering the European leagues and the upcoming Champions League. In a recent Club World Cup event, the excitement was palpable as the draft directive might impact the sporting strategies of clubs like Bayern Munich, who are up against opponents with a significant global presence, such as Boca Juniors.
