CWC: Benfica's two Argentinians spoil Boca's party in a festival of goals and reds

This is the Club World Cup! Fighting, passion, good football, and goals! After several "mild" clashes at the beginning of the tournament, Boca Juniors and Benfica provided football fans worldwide with a fantastic duel full of turnarounds and intensity.

In the end, sharing spoils was probably the fairest outcome, as the South American and European sides drew 2-2. Still, it could have been much different had it not been for a couple of Argentinians, but not in Boca's, but in Benfica's ranks!

Namely, after only 27 minutes, the scoreboard showed - 2-0! Miguel Merentiel in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Battaglia six minutes later put Boca in front, stunning the Portuguese team.

However, when Miguel Angel Russo's team was supposed to keep the terrific advantage at the break, Carlos Palacios recklessly tackled Nicolas Otamendi in the box, awarding Benfica a penalty in added time. The experienced Angel Di Maria took no prisoners, giving the Eagles a ray of hope, though he didn't celebrate, paying respect to Boca.

The second half was quite different, as the rivals were pretty nervous, and the tensions were high. Boca's sub, Ander Herrera, had already been sent off for dissent following the ref's decision on Benfica's spot-kick.

Apart from the Spaniard, the Eagles' Andrea Belotti and Boca's Jorge Figal were dismissed in the 72nd and 88th minute, respectively, though the key moment of the second period occurred in the meantime.

Namely, six minutes before the end, following Orkun Kokcu's corner kick, Otamendi unleashed a powerful header into Agustin Marchesin's net, salvaging a draw for his team - 2-2!

Ultimately, Benfica's experience prevailed, as the Eagles avoided defeat, while the two Argentinians spoiled a party thrown by a club from their homeland.

In the next round, Boca will take on the mighty Bayern Munich, while Benfica will face the minnows Auckland City.

CWC: Chelsea didn't impress, but three points are three points

In another clash played last night, Flamengo easily brushed aside one of four African representatives in the tournament, beating Esperance Tunis 2-0.

The Brazilians were in control throughout the game, as Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo brought them essential three points. This way, the popular Rubro-Negro showed they'd be the fiercest competition to Chelsea regarding the top of the Group D.

The decisive duel between the Blues and Flamengo is scheduled for Friday, while a few hours later, the match between Los Angeles FC and Esperance could give us the name of another eliminated team.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

Matchday 1

Sunday

Al Ahly Cairo - Inter Miami 0-0

Bayern Munich - Auckland City 10-0 (6-0)

/Coman 6,21, Boey 18, Olise 20, 45+3, Muller 45,89, Musiala 67, 73 pen, 84/

PSG - Atletico Madrid 3-0 (2-0)

/Ruiz 19, Vitinha 45+1, Mayulu 87/

Monday

Palmeiras - Porto 0-0

Botafogo - Seattle 2-1 (2-0)

/Jair 28, Igor Jesus 44 - Roldan 75/

Monday

Chelsea - Los Angeles 2-0 (1-0)

/Neto 34, Fernandez 79/

Tuesday

Boca Juniors - Benfica 2-2 (2-1)

/Merentiel 21, Battaglia 27 - Di Maria 45+3 pen, Otamendi 84/

Flamengo - Esperance 2-0 (1-0)

/De Arrascaeta 17, Araujo 70/

19:00: (6.75) Fluminense (4.30) Dortmund (1.55)

22:00: (1.60) River Plate (3.90) Urawa RD (6.00)

Wednesday

00:55: (2.90) Ulsan (3.15) Mamelodi (2.55)

04:00: (5.90) Monterrey (4.00) Inter Milan (1.58)

19:00: (1.07) Manchester City (13.0) Wydad Casablanca (25.0)

22:00: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.90) Al Hilal (9.50)

Thursday

00:55: (2.85) Pachuca (3.35) Salzburg (2.50)

04:00: (12.0) Al Ain (6.50) Juventus (1.22)

***odds are subject to change***