🎥 Schjelderup scores, Bayern out, Benfica top, historic Auckland

Yahoo

15 hours ago

The Club World Cup delivers excitement and plot twists on the last day of Group C. Stealing the show is Benfica, who narrowly beat Bayern Munich to claim the top spot, ahead of the Germans themselves.
A historic victory for the Portuguese, who had never beaten the Bavarians before. The decisive goal comes at the 13th minute and is scored by Andreas Schjelderup, a young Norwegian talent born in 2004.
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Bayern, already qualified for the last sixteen, paid for a too passive first half, also due to a wide rotation. Meanwhile, in the other group match, Auckland City scores a goal and draws against Boca Juniors, which is as good as a trophy: they are the first in its tournament history.
✍️ Benfica surprises Bayern and makes history
For the first time in fourteen encounters, Benfica manages to beat Bayern Munich.
The Portuguese win with a clean 1-0, which earns them the top spot in the group and overtakes the Germans in the standings.
The goal comes just thirteen minutes in thanks to Schjelderup, who coolly finishes a counterattack orchestrated by Di Maria and smartly finished by Aursnes.
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The first half is dominated by the Portuguese, with a slow, predictable, and not very dangerous Bayern in front of goal. The only German chances come in the final minutes of the first half, with Muller and Sané failing to find the net. The second half changes everything, but not the result.
🧤 Bavarian assault in the second half, but Trubin says no
Vincenzo Kompany revolutionizes Bayern in the second half and immediately brings on Kane, Kimmich, and Olise, who were initially rested. The game gains pace and quality and Benfica begins to suffer, often retreating into the last sixteen meters. Trubin is the absolute protagonist, decisive first on Sané at the 50th minute and then again on Pavlovic and the same Sané at the 88th.
The best chance falls to Kimmich, who scores the equalizer with a precise right foot, but the action is ruled out for active offside by Kane, who obstructs the goalkeeper's view. Benfica holds on and brings home a prestigious result that propels them to the last sixteen as group leaders. For the Germans, a complex crossover with Flamengo is now on the cards.
🧱 Defensive solidity test: Antonio Silva giant
Benfica's victory is also and above all built at the back, where Antonio Silva plays a practically perfect game. The Portuguese center-back is by far the best defender on the field, closing every space and systematically anticipating the opposing attackers.
In ninety minutes he collects as many as eleven defensive clearances, completing twenty-two passes out of twenty-three and winning 100% of individual duels.
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Never a foul, never a hesitation. Schjelderup is rightly celebrated for the decisive goal, but Silva's performance is what allows the Portuguese to maintain the lead until the end. It is the sign of a compact and mature team, capable of holding up even against a powerhouse like Bayern.
😍 Auckland City: historic goal with a fairy-tale signature
Meanwhile, in Nashville, a small-great sporting fairy tale unfolds. Auckland City scores its first goal in the history of the Club World Cup, breaking a drought that seemed endless after the 0-10 against Bayern and the 0-6 against Benfica, and earns its first ever point in the competition.
The goal comes in the match against Boca Juniors, and is scored by Christian Gray, a part-time striker and daytime teacher.
A story that moves, because it tells the true football, the one that lives on dreams, sacrifices, and small achievements.
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The goal comes after an initial lead by the Argentinians thanks to an own goal by Garrow, but the New Zealanders' equalizer triggers enthusiasm even in the stands.
⛔ Bad weather in Nashville and suspended match
The match between Auckland City and Boca Juniors was temporarily suspended in the second half.
Exactly at the 55th minute, with the score at 1-1, a sudden storm hits the area of Geodis Park, forcing the referee to send the teams into the locker rooms.
The reason for the interruption is the presence of "electrical activity" in the area, a risk too high for the safety of players and public. The match resumed later and ended with a score of 1-1.
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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
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