The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage is in full swing, with drama unfolding across the United States as clubs from Europe and South America battle for supremacy. Here’s a summary of the key results from Monday and Tuesday’s action:
Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica – Miami Showdown Ends in Chaos
An electric clash between Boca Juniors and Benfica ended in a 2-2 draw, with both sides finishing the game with ten men. Boca stunned the Portuguese side by taking a two-goal lead within half an hour, courtesy of Miguel Merentiel’s finish and a header from Rodrigo Battaglia.
Benfica pulled one back before the break after a VAR check awarded them a penalty. Nicolás Otamendi was fouled in the box, and Ángel Di María calmly converted to reduce the deficit. Tensions escalated when Boca midfielder Ander Herrera was sent off at halftime for protesting the penalty decision.
Benfica’s Andrea Belotti saw red in the 70th minute for a dangerous high challenge, but the Portuguese side managed to equalize in the 84th minute through a towering Otamendi header.
The result keeps Boca’s hopes alive in the competition, with fans of South American clubs expected to bring intense energy to the stadiums throughout the tournament.
Boca will next face Bayern Munich in Miami, while Benfica take on Auckland City in Orlando.
Flamengo 2-0 Esperance – Dominant Start for the Brazilians
Flamengo got their Club World Cup campaign off to a strong start with a 2-0 win over Tunisia’s Esperance at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo found the net in a match where Flamengo controlled 80% of the possession.
The first goal came in the 17th minute after Guillermo Varela delivered a perfect cross for Araujo, who set up Arrascaeta to score. Despite a brief resurgence from Esperance after the break, Flamengo’s defense held firm, with Augustin Rossi making a key save to deny Youcef Belaïli.
Araujo sealed the win in the 70th minute after receiving an incisive through-ball from Jorginho. He cut inside and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner, ending the contest.
The win places Flamengo level on points with Chelsea, who earlier defeated LAFC 2-0. Flamengo and Chelsea now prepare for a highly anticipated showdown on Friday that could decide the group winner.
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Fluminense – Tight Contest in New Jersey
Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense played out a goalless draw in their Group F opener at MetLife Stadium. The Brazilian side controlled much of the match, especially in the first half, but were thwarted by an outstanding performance from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Fluminense created numerous chances, with Jhon Arias and Martinelli coming close in the opening 45 minutes. Kobel was again called into action in the second half, producing a brilliant double save to deny Everaldo and Nonato.
Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, made his club debut for Dortmund, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute.
While Fluminense edged the shot count 14-7, Dortmund enjoyed slightly more possession. Both teams now look ahead to their next group fixtures—Dortmund will face Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati, while Fluminense return to New Jersey to meet Ulsan HD of South Korea.