Boca Juniors Surrender Two-Goal Lead as Benfica Salvages Draw in Dramatic Club World Cup Clash

Miami, FL – June 16, 2025: Boca Juniors and Benfica delivered a dramatic 2-2 draw in their opening FIFA Club World Cup Group C match at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, in a contest marked by early Argentine dominance, a fierce Portuguese comeback, and a flurry of red cards.

Boca Juniors surged ahead in the first half with goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia, energizing the predominantly blue-and-gold crowd. Merentiel opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finishing a slick move set up by Lautaro Blanco. Battaglia doubled the lead six minutes later, heading home from close range after a well-worked corner.

Benfica clawed back just before halftime. A VAR-reviewed penalty awarded for a foul on Nicolás Otamendi allowed Ángel Di María to convert from the spot, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 at the break. Tensions escalated in the second half as Benfica’s Andrea Belotti was sent off for a high boot in the 72nd minute, giving Boca a numerical advantage. However, Boca failed to capitalize and soon found themselves down to ten men as Jorge Figal received a straight red card for a reckless challenge in the 88th minute.

The turning point came in the 84th minute when Otamendi, a former Boca favorite now captaining Benfica, headed in the equalizer from an Orkun Kökçü corner, silencing much of the Argentine support. The match ended with both sides reduced to ten men and tempers flaring on and off the pitch.

Adding to the charged atmosphere, a controversial banner referencing Boca’s painful 2018 Copa Libertadores defeat to River Plate in Madrid was displayed in the stands, stirring emotions among fans and players alike.

After the match, Boca captain Merentiel admitted, “It leaves a somewhat bitter taste, and now we must look ahead. We’ll concentrate on having faith in ourselves, utilizing our abilities, and we will strive to give our utmost in the next match”. Boca coach Miguel Ángel Russo acknowledged the gap between South American and European clubs, stating, “Perhaps one day it will diminish, but not yet. We need to continue working, battling, and seeking solutions”.

The draw leaves Boca Juniors still in contention for the knockout rounds, but their path is complicated by the result. They now face a daunting task against Group C leaders Bayern Munich, who opened their campaign with a 10-0 rout of Auckland City. Benfica, meanwhile, will also look ahead to their clash with the German giants as the battle for group supremacy intensifies.

In a separate incident in Boca Grande, Florida, a 9-year-old girl, Leah Lendel, is recovering after a shark attack that severed most of her hand while snorkeling. Doctors are working to reconstruct her hand as the community rallies in support.