Bayern Munich began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Cincinnati with a resounding 10-0 victory over Auckland City, a result that sent a clear message to the other contenders. The match, held at TQL Stadium, saw Jamal Musiala steal the show with a second-half hat-trick, while the team as a whole delivered a dominant performance from start to finish.
From the outset, the gulf in class between the Bundesliga champions and the semi-professional Auckland City was evident. Kingsley Coman opened the scoring early, heading in from close range after just six minutes, following a corner. This set the tone for a relentless attacking display by Bayern.
Auckland City, despite their efforts, struggled to contain Bayern's attacking prowess. A quickfire succession of goals followed Coman's opener, with Sacha Boey netting in the 18th minute, followed swiftly by Michael Olise in the 20th and Coman again in the 21st. This flurry of goals effectively put the game beyond Auckland City's reach, leaving them trailing 4-0.
Bayern continued to pile on the pressure, and Thomas Muller added his name to the scoresheet in the 45th minute with a well-taken volley. Just before halftime, Michael Olise scored a stunning goal, curling a shot into the far corner to make it 6-0 at the break.
With a comfortable lead, Bayern made several changes in the second half, providing opportunities for players like Jamal Musiala to make an impact. Musiala did not disappoint. Coming off the bench, he scored Bayern's seventh goal with a brilliant finish from the edge of the area in the 67th minute. Minutes later, he was felled in the box, and he converted the resulting penalty to complete his brace.
Musiala then completed his hat-trick in the 84th minute, capitalizing on a misplaced pass from Auckland City's goalkeeper, Conor Tracey, and finishing calmly. Muller then capped off the scoring with a late goal, securing the 10-0 victory.
While Bayern's attack was firing on all cylinders, Auckland City struggled to create any meaningful chances. They managed just one shot on target, a tame effort from Angus Kilkolly that was easily saved by Manuel Neuer. The result marked a historic moment, becoming the largest-ever victory in the Club World Cup, surpassing the previous record.
Bayern Munich will face much stiffer competition when they continue their Club World Cup campaign with a match against Boca Juniors. As for Auckland City, they must now prepare for upcoming meetings with Benfica and Boca Juniors. Bayern Munich will also be hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the pre-season Telekom Cup on August 7.
