Another break in play in Miami

New York Times

4 hours ago

10-man Benfica came from 2-0 down to salvage a point against Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium Getty Images
10-man Benfica came from two goals down to salvage a draw in the best game of the 2025 Club World Cup so far.
Boca Juniors raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to well-taken goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia. But they were stung on the stroke of half-time after conceding a soft penalty that was coolly converted by Angel Di Maria.
Benfica substitute Andrea Belotti was sent off for dangerous play in the second half but the Portuguese side still found a way to rescue a point. Nicolas Otamendi sent a bullet header into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.
And both teams finished the game with 10 men as Jorge Figal was shown a red card for a horrible challenge.
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Boca Juniors 2 Benfica 2 – Three red cards, sound and fury in Club World Cup's best game so far Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
69' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
There has been no real flow to this second half which, as I said earlier, will suit Boca Juniors down to the ground.
A lazy foul from Carreras gave another Boca player the chance to roll around on the ground and kill some time. There was also a yellow card for the potentially Real Madrid-bound defender.
Giving away stupid fouls is definitely not going to help Benfica back into the game.
67' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
Worth mentioning that Alvaro Carreras has been a starter for Benfica today despite some rumours suggesting he might not play amid interest from Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants have an agreement with him on personal terms but have not yet reached the same with Benfica. Carreras remains Madrid's plan to reinforce the left-back position.
66' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
And there will be a pair of substitutions for Boca Juniors.
One of them is forced with the scorer of the first goal, Merentiel, unable to continue — Exequiel Zeballos has replaced him.
In midfield, Williams Alarcon is on for Palacios.
63' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
There will be no yellow card for Sanches this evening because he has just been substituted. On in his place is Orkun Kokcu, a player with a keen eye for a goal from midfield.
There is also a change in the frontline with Bruma being replaced by Kerem Akturkoglu. Two attacking changes made by Lage.
61' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
Compared to the chaos of the first half, this has been a pretty level-headed, quiet second half.
And that plays nicely into the hands of Boca Juniors who are protecting their lead very well.
Benfica need some inspiration, and it looks as though Bruno Lage is going to his bench to find it... Getty Images
57' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
Renato Sanches has cut a very frustrated figure throughout this match.
He was fouled a few times in the first half and squared up to Palacios just before half-time. And he has looked pretty desperate to get his name taken by the referee in this second half, fouling twice and engaging in more afters with his latest victim.
One more offence and I'm sure he will be shown a yellow card.
54' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
Given the tempo at which the Boca Juniors snapped into challenges in the first half, you have to imagine fatigue will start to have a say in this match as the second half continues.
It is a very warm evening in Miami with temperatures in the high 80s, so managing fitness and legs will be key for the side currently leading in this match. Getty Images
50' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
The beginning of the second half perhaps opened the opportunity for the players to come out in a more relaxed, well-behaved manner.
But nope!
More play-acting with a Boca player writhing around in apparent agony only to return to his feet in full working order seconds later. And another foul, this time from Sanches, in a full-blooded midfield battle.
47' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
No major surprise to see Samuel Dahl hooked by Benfica manager Bruno Lage. The Swede was out of position on the right flank and never really looked comfortable there.
With Andrea Bellotti on, Benfica will presumably now go with two up front. Interesting.
46' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
Just the one of personnel at the break with Andrea Belotti replacing Samuel Dahl for Benfica. Getty Images
46' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
After that much-needed half-time break, the ball is rolling again at Hard Rock Stadium.
Can Boca Juniors hold on for a huge victory, or will Benfica come back to salvage a result?
Let's find out! Getty Images
HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
Look at the celebration from Battaglia after giving Boca Juniors a 2-0 lead! Getty Images
HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
There is no one on the pitch tonight with more big-game experience than Angel Di Maria.
And he showed every inch of his experience when he stepped up to take that penalty on the stroke of half-time.
HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
A two-goal lead for Boca Juniors at half-time would have been tough for Benfica to overturn, but that ice-cold Di Maria penalty has put a spanner in the works.
The Portuguese side were big favourites coming into the match and will surely be full of confidence coming out after the interval. It is perhaps the perfect time for half-time to come for the South Americans. Getty Images
HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
There has been — and will be — lots of criticism for this tournament, and rightly so. But that first half was, I imagine, exactly what Gianni Infantino has had at the front of his mind over the last few years.
Players that look genuinely interested by the prospect of playing in a big stadium, fans who are kicking every ball with their favourite players and plenty of drama!
Boca Juniors lead 2-1, but that late Benfica penalty has brought them roaring back into it. Getty Images
HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
I don't know about anyone else, but I need a lie down after that first half!
The best half of the tournament so far by a country mile is brought to an end by Cesar Arturo Ramos and boy does everyone need the 15-minute breather.
That was a terrific 51 minutes of football. Getty Images
45+3' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica
No mistake from the veteran from 12 yards, sending Augustin Marchesin the wrong way in very, very cool fashion.
Game on at Hard Rock Stadium! Getty Images
45' Boca Juniors 2-0 Benfica
As we all expected when the referee went to the VAR monitor, a penalty has been awarded.
Ander Herrera, withdrawn earlier with an injury, has been sent off on the sidelines!
Di Maria will take the penalty... Getty Images
44' Boca Juniors 2-0 Benfica
Palacios could be in trouble here!
He kicked Nicolas Otamendi at a corner after the former Manchester City centre-back made first contact at a corner.
Referee Cesar Arturo Ramos has gone to the monitor to have a second look...