Bayern Munich Edge Boca Juniors 2-1 to Advance in Club World Cup Thriller
Bayern Munich secured a spot in the knockout stage of the Club World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Argentina’s Boca Juniors on Friday night. Goals from Harry Kane and Michael Olise were enough to see off a spirited challenge from the South American giants, who had threatened to maintain their continent’s recent dominance in the tournament.
Kane opened the scoring for the Bundesliga champions before Miguel Merentiel leveled for Boca, but Olise’s late strike ultimately handed Bayern the win. The result means Bayern top Group C with six points, booking their passage to the next round after also dismantling Auckland City 10-0 in their opening fixture.
Breaking the South American Streak
With recent European powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea falling to South American opposition—Botafogo and Flamengo respectively—the pressure was on Bayern to buck the trend. And they delivered, despite playing in front of a fiercely partisan Boca Juniors crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The 63,587 fans in attendance, most of them passionately backing Boca, created an electric atmosphere inside the NFL stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. But Bayern quickly imposed themselves on the game, controlling possession and dictating the tempo through the midfield pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
Kane acknowledged the challenge after the final whistle. “It was a big performance from the guys,” he said. “We knew coming here, with the heat and a fired-up crowd, it wouldn’t be easy. We should have scored a couple more in the first half, but credit to them, they made it tough.”
Early Drama and Disallowed Goal
Bayern nearly got off to the perfect start in the 8th minute when Michael Olise swung in a corner that somehow found the back of the net untouched. However, VAR intervened, and referee review confirmed that Serge Gnabry had obstructed Boca goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin during the play, leading to the goal being ruled out.
Still, Bayern’s intent was clear, and just ten minutes later, they broke through. After Boca failed to clear a cross into the box, Kane pounced on the loose ball and rifled a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner to give the German side a 1-0 lead.
With momentum on their side, Bayern pushed for a second. Olise and Gnabry linked up well down the right flank, and a low cross narrowly missed Kingsley Coman, who slid in just a step too late.
Boca Juniors Show Resilience
Despite being under pressure, Boca refused to roll over. Kevin Zenon nearly equalized with a thunderous free-kick that forced a punch from Manuel Neuer. Minutes later, Zenon tested the veteran keeper again with another strike that Neuer palmed away.
Though Bayern appeared in control for long stretches, Boca found new life in the second half. The Argentine side remained disciplined, persistent, and aggressive, keeping themselves in the game.
Olise missed a golden opportunity early in the second half when he failed to convert from close range, striking the ball off-balance. That miss came back to haunt Bayern in the 66th minute when Boca hit back on the counter.
Alan Velasco initiated the break from midfield, finding Merentiel on the right wing. The Boca forward surged past Josip Stanisic with ease and unleashed a composed finish past Neuer to level the match at 1-1.
Olise Seals the Win (Bayern Munich Edge Boca Juniors)
With the game hanging in the balance and just six minutes left on the clock, Bayern found their hero. After a chaotic scramble on the edge of the Boca box, Kane produced a delicate touch to set up Olise, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with a precise side-footed effort.
Bayern thought they had a third moments later when Konrad Laimer found the back of the net, but the linesman’s flag went up, and VAR confirmed the midfielder was offside.
A Lesson in Levels
Following the match, Boca goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the team’s trajectory.
“We’re leaving with a lot of sadness, a lot of disappointment, but also pride,” said Marchesin. “This is the level we need to maintain. We fought hard and showed what Boca is about. Hopefully, we can build on this.”
The loss marks the first defeat for a South American club in the current Club World Cup tournament, leaving Boca with just one point and a must-win scenario in their final group match.
What’s Next in Group C?
With two wins from two, Bayern now sit comfortably at the top of Group C on six points. Portugal’s Benfica, who drew with Boca and narrowly defeated Auckland City, trail the Germans with four points.
Boca, meanwhile, face a mountain to climb. With only one point from their opening two games, the Argentine club must win their final group stage match and hope other results go their way to have any chance of advancing.
Key Takeaways from Bayern vs. Boca
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Harry Kane continues to shine: The England captain delivered yet again, scoring his second goal of the tournament and providing the assist for the match-winner.
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Michael Olise steps up: The French winger not only created several chances but also delivered the decisive blow in a high-pressure moment.
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Bayern’s midfield dominance: Kimmich and Goretzka controlled the tempo, dictating play even when Boca grew into the match.
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VAR drama continues: Another match, another crucial VAR intervention. While Bayern’s early goal was disallowed, they responded professionally and didn’t let it affect their rhythm.
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Boca’s resilience deserves credit: Despite the loss, Boca showed character, passion, and flashes of quality. Merentiel’s goal and Zenon’s midfield drive will give them confidence heading into their next match.
Final Score: Bayern Munich 2, Boca Juniors 1
Bayern march on to the knockout stages with confidence and quality. Boca, though heartbroken, walk away with their heads held high and everything to play for in their final fixture.
Bayern Munich Edge Boca Juniors
