Benfica came from two goals down to hold Boca Juniors to a 2-2 draw in Monday’s 2025 Club World Cup game at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The Argentina club started the game like a house on fire as Merentiel netted the opening goal in the 21st minute to the delight of the Boca Junior supporters.
A few minutes later, Battaglian extended Boca Junior’s lead with a brilliant low drive shot to beat the Benfica goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin.
In the 46th minute, Boca Juniors was reduced to 10-men after Andrea Herrera was shown a red card. Benfica, however, capitalized on it as Angel Di Maria converted a penalty to reduce the scoreline to 2-1.
Benfica were also reduced to 10-men after Belotti was red-carded for a high boot on a Boca Juniors defender in the 70th minute.
The Portuguese club later leveled parity thanks to a fine header from captain Otamendi in the 84th minute.
All efforts from both teams to win the game proved abortive as Benfica and Boca Juniors shared the spoils.
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In the other Group C game played on Sunday, Bayern Munich thrashed Auckland City 10-0 in Cincinnati.
Vincent Kompany’s side outclassed the New Zealand part-timers, with Jamal Musiala scoring a hat-trick and Thomas Muller grabbing two goals as his long farewell to the club continued.
