Benfica vs. Bayern Munich: Club World Cup Preview

Group C at the Club World Cup is nearing a potentially dramatic conclusion on Tuesday. Benfica`s upcoming match against Bayern Munich could be the deciding factor in whether the Portuguese club progresses to the round of 16.

German champions Bayern Munich have already secured their spot in the next stage by winning their first two games. However, finishing at the top of the group to potentially secure a more favorable draw in the knockout phase is likely a priority for Vincent Kompany`s squad. Benfica is currently in a relatively strong position in Group C, holding second place with four points, while Argentina`s Boca Juniors are third with one point. Boca Juniors are scheduled to play the semi-professional side Auckland City and are widely expected to win, likely requiring Benfica to earn at least a draw against Bayern to advance.

Tiebreakers could become relevant if Benfica fails to secure at least a point on Tuesday. Their 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in their Group C opener did little to significantly boost either team`s chances. Should Boca win and Benfica lose, the outcome will likely depend on goal difference. Boca Juniors would need a seven-goal swing in their favor to overtake Benfica – a scenario that, surprisingly, isn`t entirely improbable against an Auckland City team that has already conceded 16 goals in two matches.

Group C Qualification Scenarios

• Bayern Munich: Qualified for the round of 16.
• Benfica advance to the round of 16 with:
  • A win or draw against Bayern Munich.
  • A loss to Bayern Munich AND Boca Juniors draw or lose to Auckland City.
• Boca Juniors advance to the round of 16 with:
  • A win against Auckland City AND Benfica lose to Bayern Munich AND Boca Juniors finish with a better goal difference than Benfica.
• Auckland City: Eliminated from the competition.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Samuel Dahl, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Carreras, Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino Luis, Renato Sanches, Angel Di Maria, Vangelis Pavlidis, Bruma

Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Konrad Laimer, Josip Stanisic, Jonathan Tah, Raphael Guerreiro, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry

Player to Watch

Alvaro Carreras, Benfica: The Club World Cup often serves as a platform for young talents, whether they have future moves arranged or are looking to impress. Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras fits this description. He could significantly raise his profile with a strong performance against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The 22-year-old has been linked with a return to Real Madrid, years after being in their academy but not breaking into the first team. He faces a tough challenge against Bayern`s attack, including players like Harry Kane and Michael Olise, who have been standout performers this season. His performance is particularly crucial as avoiding defeat is Benfica`s most reliable path to progression.

Storyline to Watch

Which Bayern will show up?: While Bayern are the clear favorites, playing on a warm afternoon in Charlotte after already securing qualification for the next round might lead Vincent Kompany to rotate his squad. However, this isn`t guaranteed; they will likely want to avoid dropping to second place with a loss, which could set up a difficult tie against an in-form Flamengo in the next round, rather than a less formidable Chelsea side. Bayern`s approach to Tuesday`s game will heavily influence the outcome of Group C, especially with Boca Juniors expected to push for a large scoreline against Auckland City.

Match Prediction

Predicting a match like this can be difficult, especially when a strong favorite might rest key players after already qualifying. This could offer an opportunity for Benfica to get the point they need. However, the presence of a player like Harry Kane means Bayern still possesses the capability to decisively influence the scoreline. Expect Bayern to secure a win, making qualification slightly tense for the opposing team as the group stage concludes. Predicted Score: Benfica 1, Bayern Munich 2

Related Information

• FIFA Club World Cup 2025 schedule
• FIFA Club World Cup standings
• FIFA Club World Cup explained (Qualification, schedule, prize money, etc.)

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