The competitive Group C of the Club World Cup is nearing its conclusion, with a crucial match scheduled for Tuesday. Benfica faces Bayern Munich in a game that could ultimately determine whether the Portuguese club secures a spot in the round of 16.
German champions Bayern Munich have already guaranteed their progression to the next stage, having won their initial two fixtures. However, securing the top position in the group and potentially gaining a more favorable draw in the knockout rounds will likely be a key objective for Vincent Kompany`s side. Benfica currently holds a promising position in Group C, sitting in second place with four points, while Argentina`s Boca Juniors are third with one point. Boca Juniors are set to play the semi-professional team Auckland City and are widely expected to win, which would likely necessitate Benfica earning at least a draw against Bayern to advance.
Tiebreakers could become relevant if Benfica fails to secure at least one point on Tuesday. Their previous 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in the Group C opener did little to significantly boost either team`s chances. The scenario might come down to goal difference if Boca Juniors win and Benfica loses. In such a case, Boca would need a seven-goal swing in their favor to qualify – a possibility that is perhaps surprisingly plausible given Auckland City has conceded 16 goals in just two matches.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 24
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Broadcast: TNT
- Streaming: DAZN
Group C Qualification Scenarios
Bayern Munich: Qualified for the round of 16
Benfica advance to the round of 16 with:
- A win or a draw against Bayern Munich
- A loss to Bayern Munich AND Boca Juniors draw or loss against Auckland City
Boca Juniors advance to the round of 16 with:
- A win against Auckland City AND Benfica loss to Bayern Munich AND Boca Juniors finish ahead of Benfica on goal difference
Auckland City: Eliminated from the competition
Predicted 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 already secured future moves or are looking to impress potential suitors. Benfica`s left-back Alvaro Carreras fits this description and could make a significant impact with a strong performance against Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old has been linked with a return to Real Madrid, the club whose academy he previously attended. He faces a tough challenge against Bayern, potentially coming up against key players like Harry Kane and Michael Olise. Performing well in this fixture is especially crucial for Benfica, as avoiding defeat is their most direct route to advancement.
Storyline to Watch
Which Bayern will appear?: While Bayern are the clear favorites, given they have already qualified and the match is played during a warm afternoon in Charlotte, coach Vincent Kompany might opt for squad rotation ahead of the next round. However, this is not guaranteed; Bayern will likely want to avoid dropping to second place with a loss, which could potentially set up a clash with an in-form Flamengo in the next stage instead of an equally tired Chelsea. How they approach Tuesday`s game will heavily influence the outcome of Group C, particularly with Boca Juniors expected to pursue a large goal difference against Auckland City in their match.
Prediction
Predicting a match like this can be challenging, especially when a favored team that has already qualified might not play at their peak intensity. This scenario could offer Benfica the opportunity to secure the point they need. However, the presence of a player like Harry Kane means Bayern can turn the game in their favor relatively easily. Expect Bayern to win, making things tense for their opponents as the group stage concludes.
