The Club World Cup witnessed a seismic upset as Portuguese giants Benfica toppled German champions Bayern Munich 1-0, securing their passage to the last 16 and claiming the top spot in Group C. This marked Bayern’s first-ever competitive defeat against Benfica, a testament to the Portuguese side’s tactical prowess and unwavering determination. The defeat relegated Bayern to second place in the group, setting up a challenging encounter against Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo in the knockout stage. Benfica, on the other hand, awaited the runner-up of Group D, either Chelsea or Esperance, in their quest for global glory.
Bayern Munich, already assured of a place in the knockout rounds, approached the match with a rotated squad. Manager Vincent Kompany made seven changes to the starting lineup that had triumphed over Boca Juniors in the previous game, perhaps underestimating the threat posed by a Benfica side hungry for victory. This tactical gamble backfired as the German side struggled to find their rhythm in a lackluster first-half performance. Only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, defender Josip Stanisic, left-back Raphael Guerreiro, and winger Serge Gnabry retained their starting berths from the previous match.
Benfica, needing a win or a draw to progress and simultaneously eliminate Boca Juniors, who were concurrently facing Auckland, started the match with palpable intensity. Their early pressure forced Neuer into action, saving a stinging effort from Renato Sanches. The Portuguese side’s persistence paid off in the 13th minute. Frederik Aursnes displayed exceptional wing play, driving to the byline and cutting the ball back to Norwegian winger Andreas Schjelderup. Schjelderup met the pass with a clinical first-time strike, burying the ball into the bottom corner and giving Benfica a crucial lead.
The match unfolded under intense heat, which significantly impacted the tempo of the game. Both teams adopted a measured approach, prioritizing energy conservation over frenetic attacking play. Bayern Munich mustered one notable chance before the break when Gnabry set up Leroy Sane, but the former Manchester City winger’s shot sailed harmlessly over the bar. Recognizing the need for a drastic change, Kompany introduced Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich at halftime, hoping to inject some much-needed dynamism and creativity into his side’s attack.
The triple substitution had an immediate impact, transforming Bayern Munich into a more potent attacking force. Kimmich’s long ball found Sane in a promising position, but the winger’s shot was straight at Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Trubin emerged as the hero for Benfica, producing a string of crucial saves to deny Bayern’s star-studded attack. He repelled a dangerous effort from Thomas Muller, highlighting his exceptional shot-stopping abilities. Benfica, however, remained a threat on the counter-attack, with Kerem Akturkoglu showcasing his pace and skill by beating Dayot Upamecano, but unable to get past the imposing figure of Neuer in the Bayern goal.
Bayern continued to press for an equalizer, and Kimmich thought he had found the net with a low drive from the edge of the box. However, the goal was disallowed due to Harry Kane’s offside position, judged to be interfering with Trubin’s line of sight. Despite Bayern’s relentless pressure in the closing stages, Trubin remained resolute, denying Sane once again with a superb save. Even in stoppage time, Bayern couldn’t find the breakthrough, with Kane mistiming a close-range header, sealing Benfica’s historic victory and confirming their place at the top of Group C.
