Portuguese side, Benfica, stunned German side, Bayern Munich, with a lone goal victory in their last preliminary match in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on Tuesday 24 June, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Norwegian forward, Andreas Schjelderup, handed Benfica an early lead, in the 13th minute, in Charlotte. And while Vincent Kompany’s Bavarians were dominant in the second half, they were unable to find a way back into the showdown.
The outcome means German Kings, Bayern Munich, go through in second place in Group C and will take on Flamengo in Miami on Sunday night.
In the round of 16, Bayern Munich will lock horns with Brazilian side, Flamengo, on Sunday 29 June, 2025 at 21:00 (WAT) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Bavarians kicked off with Manuel Neuer in goal and Sacha Boey, Dayot Upamecano, Josip Stanišić and Raphaël Guerreiro in a back four.
Aleksandar Pavlović and João Palhinha controlled a midfield which featured Serge Gnabry, debutant Tom Bischof and Leroy Sané, with Thomas Müller up front.
English forward, Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise took charge from new addition, Bischof, Palhinha and Gnabry at half-time. Jonathan Tah and Konrad Laimer replaced Upamecano and Boey early in the second 45 minutes.
Kompany’s side dominated possession in the first 45 minutes, however, Benfica had the better chances. Goalkeeper, Neuer, made a fine save against Ángel di María, but Fredrik Aursnes’ cut-back soon found Schjelderup, who beat Neuer from 15 yards out.
Result
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – Tuesday 24 June, 2025 |
| FC Porto 4-4 Al Ahly |
| Inter Miami 2-2 Palmeiras |
| Auckland City 1-1 Boca Juniors |
| Benfica 1-0 Bayern Munich |
There was no way through for Bayern as the German side fought really hard for a leveller after the break and Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin denied Sané and Müller before Pavlović fired over.
Photo: Andreas Schjelderup celebrates goal for Benfica against Bayern Munich
