Club World Cup: Auckland City, an amateur team, stun Argentinian giants that once featured Diego Maradona, Carlos Tevez
In one of the most astonishing results at the 2025 Club World Cup, and in football altogether, Auckland City, a side ranked 4,971st in the world by Opta, held South American side Boca Juniors, ranked 152 on the planet, to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Auckland, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament and already eliminated after two heavy defeats - a 6-0 thumping by Benfica and a 10-0 demolition by German giants Bayern Munich, produced a defiant display to deny Argentina's six-time Copa Libertadores winners a spot in the knockout stages. Boca needed a win to stand a chance of progressing.
Despite being out-shot 40 to 4 and conceding nearly 70% possession, Auckland's grit and determination paid off.
Stats of Auckland City vs Boca Juniors
1 - 1 (Goals)
0.19 - 2.38 (xG)
3 - 40 (Shots)
2 - 9 (Shots on Target)
26% - 74% (Possession)
To put the scale of the upset into perspective, this was the equivalent of Scottish third-tier side Cove Rangers (ranked 4,844th) drawing with Juventus (ranked 25th), as per Opta.
Boca went ahead in the 26th minute after Lautaro Di Lollo's header hit the post and ricocheted in off Auckland goalkeeper Nathan Garrow for an unfortunate own goal. But Garrow recovered impressively, pulling off a series of second-half saves to preserve the scoreline.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Are you from Bangladesh? The Prices of Solar Panels Might Surprise You
Solar Panels | Search Ads
Get Info
Undo
Auckland struck back in the 52nd minute when Christian Gray powered in a header from Jerson Lagos' corner, which was incidentally the team's first goal of the tournament.
Poll
Was Auckland City's draw against Boca Juniors the biggest upset in Club World Cup history?
Yes, definitely!
No, there have been bigger upsets.
'It's been a tough trip, we've had some tough results but I'm just happy for the team and the boys, I think we deserve it, we got a little bit of respect back I hope,' said goal scorer Gray to
DAZN
.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
36 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Brazil's Fabio breaks England great's all-time matches record with 1,391st appearance
Fabio began his professional career in 1997 and has spent his entire playing journey in Brazil, representing Uniao Bandeirante, Atletico Paranaense, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro, and most recently Fluminense. (Image Credit: X) Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio etched his name into football history on Tuesday, claiming the record for the most competitive appearances in men's football. The 44-year-old veteran reached an astonishing 1,391 matches, surpassing the mark previously held by England great Peter Shilton. According to BBC, the Guinness Book of Records lists Shilton as holding the benchmark with 1,390 competitive appearances, though Shilton himself maintains that his tally stands at 1,387 matches - three fewer than the official count. Fabio had drawn level with Shilton's tally over the weekend, but his appearance in Fluminense's 2-0 Copa Libertadores victory against Colombia's America de Cali at the Maracana moved him into uncharted territory. While Fluminense and Brazilian media outlets were quick to celebrate the milestone, neither FIFA nor regional governing body CONMEBOL has officially recognised it as a record. — FluminenseFC (@FluminenseFC) Having turned professional in the late 1990s, the 'keeper has represented several clubs during his career, most notably Cruzeiro, where he spent nearly two decades and won multiple national and continental titles. Since joining Fluminense in 2022, he has continued to deliver at the highest level, proving age is just a number. Fabio began his professional career in 1997 and has spent his entire playing journey in Brazil, representing Uniao Bandeirante, Atletico Paranaense, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro, and most recently veteran goalkeeper enjoyed his longest and most decorated spell at Cruzeiro, where he featured in an incredible 976 matches between 2005 and 2022. Before that, he registered 150 appearances for Vasco da Gama and 30 for Uniao Bandeirante, the club where it all started. On Tuesday, Fabio's record-breaking appearance marked his 235th outing for Fluminense, further cementing his legacy as one of Brazilian football's most enduring figures.
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Mbappe opens Real Madrid account with penalty in 1-0 win vs Osasuna
Kylian Mbappe got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday. Mbappe, the leading scorer in his debut with Madrid last season, converted a 51st-minute penalty kick to give the hosts the victory. A nice run by Mbapp through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, prompted the foul. The goal gave new coach Xabi Alonso a winning debut in his first full season with the club. The former Madrid player arrived before the Club World Cup to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the Brazil job. It was special to be back here as a coach, unforgettable, Alonso said. Hopefully it was the first of many victories celebrated here. Alonso started the match with three of the club's new signings for the season left back lvaro Carreras, right back Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen. Teenage forward Franco Mastantuono came off the bench to replace Brahim Daz in the 68th, being loudly cheered by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Some fans had not been happy after the former River Plate player praised Lionel Messi the fellow Argentine who was a star at rival Barcelona during his introductory news conference. The 18-year-old Mastantuono had a chance to score in the 89th, but his shot from inside the area was saved by the Osasuna goalkeeper. They all did well, Alonso said of the newcomers. They are players who will be helping us for years. None of them felt the pressure of the Madrid jersey or of the Bernabeu. Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time with a straight red card for a high arm to block Madrid forward Gonzalo Garca. They dominated, we knew it was going to be like that, Osasuna midfielder Rubn Garca said. We played a good game but couldn't get too close to their goal. In the end, they deserved the victory. Madrid forward Rodrygo stayed on the bench the whole match, intensifying speculation of a possible transfer. Alonso downplayed Rodrygo's lack of minutes, saying he still counts on the Brazil international for now. It was only a match, he said. If in three months he still isn't getting these minutes, then it's different. The game was played Tuesday instead of last weekend along with the rest of opening matches because Madrid's players needed more rest following the team's participation at the Club World Cup. Madrid's attempt to delay its debut even further was denied by the league. Madrid controlled possession more than 70% but struggled to break through the tight Osasuna defense early, threatening with a few long-range shots. There were positives, beginning with the result, Alonso said. We still need a few things that will give us stability to keep progressing. Mbappe, with the No. 10 jersey this season, had one of Madrid's best first-half chances with a curling shot from inside the area that just missed the top corner, but finally broke through with the winner early in the second half as Madrid continued to press forward. He sent a low shot from the spot into the right side of the net as the goalkeeper dived the other way. You can tell that Mbappe wants more, Alonso said. Barcelona began its title defense with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid squandered a late lead in a 2-1 loss at Espanyol on Sunday. Madrid was runner-up to Barcelona in the Spanish league last season. Osasuna finished ninth. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio claims world record for most games
Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio on Tuesday claimed the record for most competitive appearances in men's football when the Brazilian played for a 1,391st time. After equalling the landmark held by former England stopper Peter Shilton on Saturday, the 44-year-old went one better in a 2-0 win over Colombia's America de Cali at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Fluminense and Brazilian media have confirmed the record, but FIFA and regional body CONMEBOL are yet to declare it one. 'Sometimes we don't realise the importance of such a significant achievement as breaking this record, which has stood for many years,' Fabio, who has spent his entire career in Brazil, said following his clean sheet in the Copa Sudamericana last 16 second leg. The home fans chanted, 'Fabio is the best goalkeeper in Brazil,' and he received a commemorative plaque to mark the achievement. 'No one plays so many matches without a level of professionalism like his,' said Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho. 'He'll undoubtedly continue to play for a long time .It will be difficult for another player to surpass his record.' Fabio won the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense in 2023 and was part of the side that reached the semifinals of the Club World Cup in the United States this summer. READ: Marseille puts Rabiot, Rowe on transfer list for reported locker-room fight He made 976 appearances for Cruzeiro between 2005 and 2022, after playing 30 times for Uniao Bandeirante and another 150 games for Vasco da Gama. His record outing against America de Cali was his 235th match for Fluminense. Fabio began his career in 1997, the year that Shilton retired. The Englishman considers his total number of appearances to be 1,387, but Guinness World Records puts the number at 1,390. Published on Aug 20, 2025 Related Topics Peter Shilton / Fluminense
