Bayern Munich secured their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup knockout stages with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors at a sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Harry Kane's early opener and a late strike from Michael Olise proved decisive, overcoming a spirited Boca Juniors side that briefly leveled through Miguel Merentiel.
The match, played in a lively atmosphere with a significant Boca Juniors contingent in the crowd, saw Bayern dominate possession for large stretches. The German champions showcased their attacking prowess early on, with Olise finding the net, only for it to be disallowed due to a foul on Boca's goalkeeper, Agustin Marchesin. However, Bayern's pressure soon paid off when a clearance fell to Kane, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Bayern continued to create chances, with Gnabry missing a glaring opportunity to double the lead. Boca Juniors, however, remained resilient.
The second half saw Boca Juniors emerge with renewed intensity. Their physical play, which had been a feature of their game against Benfica, continued as they tried to disrupt Bayern's rhythm. The South American side found an equalizer when Merentiel capitalized on a defensive lapse, sidestepping defenders and beating Manuel Neuer. The goal ignited the Boca Juniors fans.
Bayern, however, responded swiftly. With just six minutes left on the clock, Kane laid the ball off to Olise, who unleashed a stunning strike into the bottom corner, restoring Bayern's lead and ultimately securing the win. Bayern had another goal disallowed late on, but held on for the victory.
Bayern Munich's coach, Vincent Kompany, acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, "We saw how tough it's been for European teams playing against South American teams. I thought we did really well tonight. We managed our emotions. The way we finished the game was very mature. It was a solid performance. It's the Club World Cup; every win is difficult.”
Kane, who was awarded player of the match, echoed his coach's sentiments, saying, "It was a big performance from the guys. We knew it wouldn't be easy with a hostile environment and hot weather. The first half was good and we should have been two or three up."
With this win, Bayern Munich advances to the round of 16 with one group game to spare. They will face Benfica in their final group match to determine who tops the group. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, expanded to feature 32 teams, is being held across 11 cities in the United States, with the final scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New York, New Jersey. Bayern Munich qualified for the tournament based on their strong performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past four years.
