Charlotte, North Carolina – In a thrilling Group C encounter at the Bank of America Stadium, Portuguese side SL Benfica pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory against German giants Bayern Munich, thanks to an early strike by Andreas Schjelderup in the 13th minute. The win not only took Benfica to the top of the group but also eliminated Boca Juniors from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Schjelderup’s Strike Seals the Deal
The decisive moment came early in the match, when Schjelderup latched onto a Frederik Aursnes cross and struck cleanly with his right foot from near the penalty spot. Despite Bayern’s second-half resurgence and tactical changes by coach Vincent Kompany, they were unable to break through Benfica’s defense.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was the standout performer in the second half, making a series of brilliant saves to preserve the narrow lead. With this win, Benfica recorded their first-ever competitive victory over Bayern Munich in 14 attempts, a historic achievement for the Portuguese side.
Heatwave Challenges Players
The match was played under extreme conditions, with temperatures soaring to 36°C (96.8°F). Players struggled with the heat, most notably Gianluca Prestianni, who required treatment in the 25th minute for heat-related issues and was eventually substituted in the 55th minute.
Next Stop: Round of 16
With the win, Benfica secured first place in Group C and will now face Chelsea, the runners-up of Group D, in the Round of 16 clash on Saturday. Bayern Munich, despite the loss, advanced to the knockout stage as group runners-up.
Benfica’s performance not only disrupted predictions but also showcased their growing strength and depth, setting the stage for a thrilling next round in the Club World Cup 2025.
