Benfica beat Bayern to top Group С at FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Benfica pulled off a surprise victory over Bayern Munich to finish top of Group C at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Anatoliy Trubin starring once again in goal for the Portuguese side.
After a shaky start to the tournament, including a narrow escape against Boca Juniors, few expected Benfica to rise to the top. But with a composed and disciplined display against a rotated Bayern side, they secured their place in the last 16 — and confirmed that Boca would leave the competition without a single win.
Bayern had already booked their spot in the knockout stage after two wins and opted to rotate heavily, which affected their rhythm early on. Benfica sensed an opportunity and tested Manuel Neuer from distance on multiple occasions. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Andreas Schjelderup finished a low cross from the right flank.
The second half was a different story. Vincent Kompany introduced several first-team regulars and Bayern dominated possession, forcing Benfica deep into their own half. But Trubin stood tall, pulling off a string of superb saves to keep a clean sheet for the second game running and earning the Man of the Match award.
Benfica will face the winner of the Chelsea vs Esperance tie in the round of 16, while Bayern Munich are set for a heavyweight clash against Flamengo.
Read also: Which teams have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16?
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Benfica - Bayern 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: Schjelderup, 13 (1:0)
Benfica: Trubin; Dahl; Otamendi; Silva A.; Barreiro L.; Di Maria (Rego Joao, 87); Pavlidis E. (Gouveia Tiago, 87); Sanches R. (Bajrami Adrian, 78); Schjelderup (Aktürkoglu, 55); Aursnes; Prestianni (Kökçü, 55)
Bench: Leandro Santos; Oliveira; Wynder; Bruma; Prioste
Yellow Cards: Sanches R. 19; Otamendi 46; Gouveia Tiago 89
Bayern: Neuer; Boey (Laimer, 62); Guerreiro; Stanisic; Upamecano (Tah J., 58); Bischof T. (Kane, 46); Gnabry (Olise, 46); Muller; Pavlovic Al.; Palhinha (Kimmich, 46); Sane L.
Bench: Peretz Da.; Urbig; Aznou; Kiala; Santos; Goretzka; Coman; Karl; Musiala; Kusi-Asare
