Benfica vs Bayern Ends in 1-0 Victory for Portuguese Side
Benfica secured a memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in sweltering conditions on Tuesday, marking their first-ever competitive victory against the German giants. Andreas Schjelderup struck after 13 minutes to send Benfica to the top of Group C at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. With this result, Benfica will face Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis in the last 16, while Bayern, finishing second, move on to meet Group D leaders Flamengo.
Schjelderup’s Decisive Goal in Benfica vs Bayern Match
The match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, kicked off in 36°C heat at 3pm local time (20:00 BST). After Fredrik Aursnes delivered a low cross from the right, Andreas Schjelderup capitalized on a lapse in Bayern’s backline, firing a first-time finish from 15 yards in the 13th minute. That strike proved enough as Benfica held on:
- Fredrik Aursnes provided the assist with a well-timed run and precise delivery.
- Schjelderup’s finish broke the deadlock despite Bayern’s rotated lineup lacking urgency, since they had already secured qualification.
Bayern vs Benfica: Second-Half Response and Disallowed Equaliser
Bayern Munich improved after the break. Vincent Kompany, with seven changes to his side, introduced Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich, and Michael Olise at half-time to chase an equaliser. Kimmich thought he had levelled with a low 25-yard strike, but the effort was ruled out for Harry Kane being offside and obstructing goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s view. Bayern created chances late on:
- Aleksandar Pavlovic forced a sharp save from Trubin.
- Leroy Sané missed two further opportunities in promising positions.
Despite the pressure, Bayern could not find the breakthrough and settled for second place in the group.
Man of the Match: Anatoliy Trubin’s Crucial Saves
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was instrumental in preserving the lead. He produced sharp saves to deny Pavlovic and Sané when Bayern threatened most. Named man of the match, Trubin commented: “It was a good game against an amazing team, it was not only me, it was the whole team. It was extremely hot, but we did our job.”
Benfica Manager Reflects on Breakthrough Win
Bruno Lage praised his team’s performance, noting their confidence despite a historical record of no wins, three draws, and 10 losses to Bayern: “The first half was very good, we created the best chances to score. We wanted to be aggressive and we finished first in the group and the feeling is good. We finished first and it means a lot for us. People need to believe more in the work we are doing. They were speaking about Boca needing to win by a lot of goals [to advance] and they forgot about this game. No one believed we were going to win against Bayern.”
Impact of Sweltering Heat on Benfica – Bayern Clash
High temperatures influenced both sides. At around the 30-minute mark, players took a cooling break, heading to the dugouts for shade, wrapping cold towels around heads or pouring water over themselves. A second cooling break came after 23 minutes of the second half. Kompany admitted concerns: “With the heat I feared it would not go as fluid as normal and sometimes with the heat it is like this. I can’t take anything from the game apart from our performance in the second half. Maybe one positive is we don’t have to play in Charlotte anymore.”
Key Stats from Benfica vs Bayern Munich
- Bayern suffered only their fourth loss in 29 matches across all competitions in 2025.
- Benfica recorded their first competitive victory over Bayern.
- Schjelderup’s 13th-minute goal proved decisive in challenging conditions.
Notable Performances Beyond Schjelderup and Trubin
- Angel di Maria, set to leave Benfica after the tournament, played a key role in the move leading to the goal and received a warm reception when substituted late on.
- Fredrik Aursnes’ assist highlighted Benfica’s aggressive first-half intent.
- On Bayern’s side, Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sané offered second-half urgency but were thwarted by Trubin and fine margins.
What’s Next After Benfica vs Bayern?
Benfica remain in Charlotte for their last-16 match on Saturday, 28 June (21:00 BST), against either Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis. Bayern face Group D winners Flamengo on Sunday, 29 June (21:00 BST). Both fixtures will test how each side adapts after the intense Benfica vs Bayern encounter.
Group C Standings and Implications
By topping Group C with this win, Benfica showcased their evolution on the world stage. Bayern’s second-place finish still advances them but highlights potential rotation risks when resting key players. The Benfica – Bayern result reshapes expectations for the knockout phase of the Club World Cup, as Group C winners face theoretically less-rested opponents and runners-up confront strong teams like Flamengo.
Cooling Breaks and Player Welfare in FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The leniency shown with mid-game cooling breaks underlines concerns over player welfare in extreme conditions. Both Benfica and Bayern dealt with fatigue factors, influencing tactical decisions and intensity levels, especially in the opening half when the decisive goal arrived.
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Benfica vs Bayern Munich Lineups and Rotation Insights
Bayern’s rotated lineup, reflecting their secure position in the group, lacked early urgency. Vincent Kompany’s multiple changes aimed to refresh the side, but the lack of cohesion in the first half was costly. Benfica fielded a confident XI under Bruno Lage, prioritizing aggression and quick transitions that yielded the winning goal.
Final Thoughts on Benfica vs Bayern Clash
Benfica’s 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup Group C is a landmark result. Andreas Schjelderup’s early strike and Anatoliy Trubin’s saves underline how single moments define matches, particularly under challenging heat. Bayern’s second-half improvement and disallowed equaliser show they remain formidable, but Benfica’s belief and tactical execution earned them top spot. As the tournament progresses toward the last 16, both sides will draw lessons from this Benfica vs Bayern showdown.
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