Boca Juniors’ Merentiel Draws Spotlight Despite Bayern’s Club World Cup Triumph

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – June 20, 2025: Boca Juniors forward Miguel Merentiel delivered a moment of brilliance in the FIFA Club World Cup, but it was not enough to prevent Bayern Munich from advancing to the knockout stages after a tense 2-1 victory before a sold-out crowd of 63,587 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Merentiel, 29, electrified the match in the 66th minute with a spectacular solo goal that briefly leveled the score after Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane had opened the scoring in the 18th minute. The Argentine’s strike, coming after a rare Bayern loss of possession, showcased his ability to capitalize on defensive lapses and ignited Boca’s passionate supporters. However, Bayern’s Michael Olise restored the lead in the 84th minute, securing the win and confirming the German giants’ place in the last 16.

Bayern dominated possession throughout the match, holding over 72% of the ball and executing more than 600 passes with a 93% completion rate. Their expected goals (xG) of 4.57 far surpassed Boca’s 0.67, reflecting the Bavarians’ superior chance creation and overall control of the game. Despite this, Merentiel’s performance stood out as a rare highlight for Boca, who struggled to generate consistent opportunities against Bayern’s disciplined defense.

Merentiel’s recent form has made him a fan favorite at Boca Juniors since his arrival in 2023, and his display against a top European side has sparked fresh speculation about a potential move to Europe. Scouts from several clubs are reportedly monitoring his progress, with the striker’s relentless style and clinical finishing drawing comparisons to Premier League stars like Jamie Vardy.

With Boca Juniors now relying on results elsewhere to keep their tournament hopes alive, all eyes remain on Merentiel as he continues to lead the line for the Argentine giants. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich looks ahead to their final group match against Benfica, aiming to secure top spot in Group C.