Harry Kane is reveling in the unique atmosphere of the FIFA Club World Cup, expressing a "special feeling" as Bayern Munich secured their place in the knockout stages. The England striker played a pivotal role in Bayern's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Argentina's Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Kane opened the scoring for Bayern, contributing to a win that propelled his team to the last 16 of the competition. Reflecting on the match, Kane acknowledged the challenging conditions, including the heat and humidity of South Florida. He noted the unique intensity of Club World Cup games, drawing parallels to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, and said, "There's something special about these World Cup games and next year will be the same. When you come off that pitch and you're sweating and you're dripping and you're cramping and you've given everything on the pitch. There's a special feeling inside, especially when you win. That's what we had today."
Despite Bayern's dominance in the first half, where they arguably should have been further ahead, Boca Juniors proved to be a formidable opponent. Miguel Merentiel's second-half goal leveled the score, adding to the tension. However, Michael Olise sealed the win for Bayern with a decisive strike six minutes from time.
Kane also recognized the overwhelming support for Boca Juniors, with over 55,000 fans creating an intense atmosphere in the stadium. "I mean it felt like an away game out there for sure, their fans were really loud. It was a great experience to play in front of them and I think that's what makes the win even more special, because it feels like a good away win," Kane stated.
Bayern's victory was particularly significant as it marked the first win for a European team against South American opposition in the tournament this year, after Paris Saint-Germain lost against Botofogo and Chelsea against Flamengo. Kane expressed his enjoyment in facing diverse teams from different footballing cultures, which is a rare opportunity in European club football. He added, "I think it's great to experience different teams and I think you've seen in this tournament already, the South American teams especially have caused big problems for some of the European teams. So it shows how big football is worldwide and how good some of these players are. You have to be ready for the next game."
In the match, Bayern initially had a goal disallowed due to a VAR review that found Serge Gnabry had interfered with Boca's goalkeeper. Kane's opening goal came after Boca failed to clear a ball, allowing Kane to capitalize with a left-footed shot. Although Bayern had several opportunities to extend their lead, they were met with strong resistance from Boca's goalkeeper, Agustin Marchesin. Merentiel's equalizer showcased individual brilliance, as he evaded multiple defenders before scoring. Ultimately, Olise's well-placed shot secured the win for Bayern, underscoring their determination to advance further in the Club World Cup.
With this win, Bayern Munich has secured their place in the round of 16 and will face Benfica for the top spot. Meanwhile, Boca Juniors need to win against Auckland City and hope that Bayern beats Benfica to have any chance of advancing to the next round.
