Benfica crush Auckland City 6-0 in Club World Cup rout as Bruno Lage, Di María steal the spotlight in Orlando
Portuguese giants SL Benfica delivered a commanding 6-0 victory over Oceania champions Auckland City in their second Group C match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The win places Benfica at the top of the group standings, ahead of Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors, as attention now turns to a decisive clash against the Bavarian champions next week.
This encounter between Europe and Oceania’s elite served not only as a showcase of quality but also as a demonstration of Benfica’s attacking depth and tactical precision under manager Bruno Lage.
FIFA Club World Cup: Bayern Munich crush Auckland City 10-0 in record-breaking rout as Musiala nets hat-trick
Despite being heavy favourites, Benfica struggled to break down Auckland City’s low defensive block in a first half that was disrupted by stifling Florida heat and sparse attendance of under 7,000. For much of the opening 45 minutes, the Eagles' dominance in possession failed to yield clear-cut chances.
However, the breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time when Argentine veteran Ángel Di María coolly slotted home from the penalty spot after Haris Zeb brought down Gianluca Prestianni inside the area. The goal opened the floodgates for what was to come after the interval.
Weather delay resets momentum — Benfica turn up the heat
An extended halftime break of over two hours due to adverse weather conditions proved advantageous for Benfica. Manager Bruno Lage used the pause to tactically realign his squad, and the results were immediate.
Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis doubled the lead in the 52nd minute before Renato Sanches—just minutes after replacing the visibly frustrated Orkun Kökçü—made it 3-0 with a composed finish in the 63rd minute. The goal sparked controversy on the touchline as Kökçü openly protested his substitution, forcing teammates to intervene before a situation escalated.
Barreiro’s Brace, another Di María penalty seal the rout
With momentum fully on their side, Benfica’s midfield took control, and Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro bagged a quickfire brace in the 76th and 78th minutes, driving the scoreline to 5-0. Di María rounded off the win with his second penalty of the night in the 85th minute, after a reckless challenge by Nikko Boxall.
Post-Match Reactions: Focus turns to Bayern Munich
Bruno Lage, Benfica Head Coach: "The dynamic was always about making the best decisions. We played a good game, analysed our weaknesses during halftime, and came out sharper. The final score is fair. We’re Benfica—we’re here to win every match, including the next against Bayern."
Ángel Di María, Man of the Match: "It’s about the team. The goals help, but our mission is clear—get the six points and move forward. Bayern is next, and we’re ready."
Orkun Kökçü, visibly angry but professional: “It was the coach’s decision. I always want to stay on and contribute more. But what matters is the win and the team performance.”
Leandro Barreiro, after scoring his first Club World Cup goals: "The first half was tough, the break disrupted everything, but in the second half we executed the game plan perfectly."
Bayern Munich edge Boca Juniors 2-1 to secure FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Knockout spot
Benfica will face European rivals Bayern Munich on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, in what is expected to be a blockbuster clash that will determine the Group C leader and likely quarter-final qualification.
Auckland City, meanwhile, will wrap up their tournament campaign with a fixture against Boca Juniors, hoping to end their Club World Cup journey with a respectable performance.
Club Profiles: Global Prestige on Display
Sport Lisboa e Benfica, commonly known as Benfica, is a professional football club based in Lisbon, Portugal. Founded in 1904, the club is one of the "Big Three" in Portuguese football and boasts an illustrious history, including 38 Primeira Liga titles, 26 Taça de Portugal wins, and two European Cups. Benfica is renowned for its fanbase, with millions of supporters worldwide, and has consistently been a breeding ground for top-tier talent.
Their opponents, Auckland City FC, hail from Auckland, New Zealand. The club dominates the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), having won multiple OFC Champions League titles, and are a regular representative at the FIFA Club World Cup. Known for their disciplined structure and resilience, Auckland City is coached by Ramon Tribulietx and has built a strong continental legacy despite being largely amateur in structure.
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