Bayern Munich squeeze past Boca Juniors in Club World Cup fight
Bayern Munich took a massive step toward world club supremacy after a gripping 2-1 win over Boca Juniors, during the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Miami. Every pass, shot, and missed chance had extra weight, with Group C pressure mounting hard at the Hard Rock Stadium. Bayern's win didn't just lift them in the standings—it catapulted them straight into the Round of 16, leaving Boca Juniors staring at a difficult uphill battle to survive the group.
Boca's manager Miguel Angel Russo put his faith in a starting eleven featuring known names across South American and European football. Keeper Agustin Marchesin anchored their efforts, supported by a defensive line of Luis Advincula, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, and Lautaro Blanco. The midfield engine combined Kevin Zenon, Tomas Belmonte, Rodrigo Battaglia, and Alan Velasco, while the attacking responsibility fell to Carlos Palacios and Miguel Merentiel. Despite bringing energy and aggression to the pitch, Boca struggled to break down Bayern's organized play during the most crucial moments.
High stakes, high drama as the group tightens
Group C has turned into a battleground. Following their spectacular 6-0 demolition of Auckland City, Benfica sits pretty at the top with 4 points and an eye-watering goal difference. Bayern now holds second with three points, taking advantage of the pressure moments to secure their first victory of the group. Boca Juniors find themselves stuck on one point. Their next match is truly do-or-die if they want to keep their World Cup adventure alive. Auckland City's journey, by contrast, officially ended after being swept aside by both Benfica and their group opponents: their tally sits at zero.
The Miami crowd got their money’s worth from the opening whistle, with both clubs showing why they're legends of the beautiful game. Early midfield duels set the tone, but it was Bayern who pounced on key Boca errors to make their mark on the scoresheet. For Boca, stubborn defending and desperate attacking phases kept the game tight, but their inability to find a second-half equalizer highlighted the challenge of taking on European giants.
The win means Bayern can breathe a little easier as they prepare for tougher battles ahead. Boca Juniors, meanwhile, must regroup—their fate now likely depends on a must-win final group match, and even then, goal difference could separate heartbreak from heroics. All eyes turn to the last round, where every moment counts and reputations are made or broken.
Jun, 22 2025