A heated Club World Cup Group C match between Boca Juniors and Benfica ended in a 2-2 draw, fueled by dramatic goals and marred by three red cards. The game, played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, saw a strong showing from Boca supporters, creating an electric, home-like atmosphere for the Argentinian side.
Boca Juniors, currently unranked in the Copa Libertadores, started strong, capitalizing on their early momentum. Miguel Merentiel opened the scoring in the 21st minute, followed by Rodrigo Battaglia's header in the 27th, giving Boca a comfortable 2-0 lead. Benfica, known for their Champions League history with two consecutive titles in the early 1960s, struggled to find their footing initially.
The game's complexion shifted dramatically just before halftime. Ander Herrera of Boca Juniors received a red card, reducing his team to 10 men. Shortly after, Benfica was awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined Carlos Palacios had fouled Nicolás Otamendi. Ángel Di María converted the penalty in the 45th minute, pulling Benfica back into the game.
The second half continued with high intensity. Benfica's Andrea Belotti was shown a red card in the 72nd minute, leveling the playing field with both teams down to 10 players. Benfica, despite their numerical disadvantage, pressed forward. Their efforts paid off in the 84th minute when Nicolás Otamendi headed in a cross from Orkun Kökçü, equalizing the score. The drama didn't end there; Boca Juniors' Nicolás Figal received a red card in the 88th minute, further complicating matters for the Argentinian side.
The match concluded with a 2-2 draw, a result that leaves both teams with one point in Group C. Boca Juniors, who have faced recent setbacks including elimination from the Copa Libertadores, will need to regroup quickly for their next challenge against Bayern Munich. Benfica, after an imprecise performance, will face Auckland City, the only semi-professional team in the tournament, hoping for a more convincing victory. The match was characterized by intense physical play, with a total of 22 fouls committed, 14 of which were by Benfica. This hard-fought draw underscores the competitive nature of the Club World Cup and sets the stage for compelling matches to come.
