Boca Juniors and Benfica Clash in Heated Draw at Club World Cup

Boca Juniors and Benfica delivered a fiery encounter in their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener, playing out a dramatic 2-2 draw in Miami Gardens. The match was packed with intensity, red cards, and late drama as Benfica fought back from two goals down. Boca struck first in the 21st minute when Miguel Merentiel slotted home Lautaro Blanco’s cross, before Rodrigo Battaglia doubled the lead with a close-range header just six minutes later. The Argentines looked in control, but Benfica refused to back down.

The momentum shifted just before halftime when Benfica pulled one back through an Ángel Di María penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after a VAR review spotted Carlos Palacios’ foul on Nicolás Otamendi. Tempers flared as Boca’s Ander Herrera, already substituted due to injury, was shown a red card for dissent from the bench. The heated atmosphere set the tone for a chaotic second half.

Benfica’s comeback was completed in the 84th minute when Otamendi rose highest to meet Orkun Kökçü’s corner, thundering in a header to level the score. The match boiled over again with two more red cards—Andrea Belotti was dismissed for a high boot, and Boca’s Jorge Figal saw red late on—but the nine-man Argentine side held on for a hard-fought point.

Meanwhile, in Group D, Chelsea made a strong start with a comfortable 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC. But the day belonged to the chaos and drama of Boca Juniors vs. Benfica, a match that will be remembered for its fiery moments and thrilling comeback.