Bayern Munich embarked on their Club World Cup campaign with a resounding display of dominance, dismantling amateur side Auckland City 10-0 in their opening Group C encounter. The match, held in Cincinnati, showcased the stark disparity in quality between the European giants and the Oceania champions, with Bayern’s attacking prowess proving too much for the New Zealand minnows to handle. Jamal Musiala, introduced as a second-half substitute, stole the show with a rapid-fire hat-trick, further emphasizing Bayern’s overwhelming superiority.
The rout began early, with French winger Kingsley Coman netting a brace within the first 21 minutes, sandwiching goals from compatriots Sacha Boey and Michael Olise. Coman’s opening goal, arriving in the sixth minute, marked the first of the tournament following a goalless draw in the opening fixture between Inter Miami and Al Ahly. The onslaught continued with Thomas Mueller adding a fifth, and Olise securing his second with a spectacular curling effort just before halftime, bringing the score to a commanding 6-0. This first-half blitz effectively sealed the game’s outcome before the break.
While Auckland City managed to temporarily stem the flow of goals in the second half, the introduction of Jamal Musiala shifted the momentum irrevocably in Bayern’s favor. The young midfielder wasted no time in making his mark, scoring three goals in a blistering 18-minute spell, one of which came from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box. Mueller, who is set to depart Bayern after the tournament, capped off the scoring in the 89th minute with his 250th goal for the club, bringing the final tally to a resounding 10-0 victory.
The match served as a stark reminder of the gulf between Europe’s elite and the amateur ranks, with Auckland City’s players, many of whom had taken unpaid leave to participate in the tournament, facing an insurmountable challenge against one of the world’s top teams. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Auckland City interim coach Ivan Vicelich expressed pride in his players’ efforts, acknowledging the significant difference in quality and resources between the two sides. He emphasized the invaluable experience gained by his amateur players competing at such a high level against world-class opposition.
For Bayern Munich, the emphatic victory represents an ideal start to their Club World Cup campaign, having previously won the competition twice in its previous seven-team format. The 10-goal margin of victory equaled their best-ever win in the Bundesliga, matching their 11-1 demolition of Borussia Dortmund in 1971, though they have recorded larger wins in the German Cup. The dominant performance sends a clear message to their competitors in the tournament, reaffirming their status as one of the favorites to lift the trophy.
Looking ahead, Bayern’s next challenge comes against Boca Juniors in Miami on Friday. New signing Jonathan Tah, recently acquired from Bayer Leverkusen, made his debut in central defense during the match against Auckland City, gaining valuable experience ahead of the upcoming fixture. Auckland City, meanwhile, will face Benfica in Orlando on the same day, hoping to rebound from their opening defeat and offer a more competitive performance against the Portuguese side. This first round of matches has set the stage for an intriguing Group C, with Bayern Munich establishing themselves as the early frontrunners.
