Tuesday`s Club World Cup action in competitive Group C could see a thrilling conclusion. Benfica`s match against Bayern Munich is pivotal, as it might decide if the Portuguese team advances to the knockout stage.
Bayern Munich, the German champions, have already secured their progression to the next round by winning their initial two games. However, Vincent Kompany`s squad will probably aim to finish first in the group to potentially secure a better draw in the knockout phase. Benfica currently holds a favorable position in Group C, ranked second 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, which would likely necessitate at least a draw for Benfica to guarantee their advancement.
If Benfica fails to get at least one point on Tuesday, tiebreaker rules might become relevant. Their 2-2 tie against Boca Juniors in their first Group C game didn`t significantly benefit either club`s prospects. If Boca wins and Benfica loses, goal difference will likely be the deciding factor. Boca would need a seven-goal advantage swing to move ahead, a scenario that, surprisingly, appears somewhat plausible given Auckland City`s defense has already allowed 16 goals in two matches.
Match Information and Odds
- Date: Tuesday, June 24
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
- Odds: Benfica +270; Draw +230; Bayern Munich +105
Group C Qualification Paths
- Bayern Munich: Already qualified for the Round of 16.
- Benfica advances 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 advances to the Round of 16 with:
- A win against Auckland City AND Benfica loss to Bayern Munich AND Boca Juniors having a superior goal difference compared to Benfica.
- Auckland City: Eliminated from the competition.
Potential 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
Key Player Spotlight
The Club World Cup often serves as a platform for young talents, whether they have future transfers secured or are looking to attract attention. Alvaro Carreras, Benfica`s left-back, fits this profile and could enhance his reputation with a solid performance against Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old has reportedly been linked with a return to Real Madrid, where he previously played in the academy but didn`t reach the senior team. Facing Bayern will be challenging; he`s likely to encounter stars like Harry Kane and Michael Olise, two prominent figures for Bayern this season. His defensive contribution will be crucial, as avoiding a loss is Benfica`s most reliable path to qualification.
Key Match Narrative
A key question is how seriously Bayern will approach this match. While they are the favored side, playing in potentially warm conditions in Charlotte after already securing qualification might lead Kompany to rotate his squad ahead of the next phase. However, a defeat on Tuesday could see them finish second in the group, setting up a potentially tougher encounter with a strong Flamengo side in the next round, rather than facing a potentially fatigued Chelsea. Bayern`s strategy for Tuesday`s game will significantly influence the outcome of Group C, particularly as Boca Juniors are expected to secure a large win against Auckland City.
Match Prediction
Predicting this match is challenging, partly because dominant teams sometimes relax after achieving their primary goal. This scenario could offer Benfica an opportunity to gain the necessary point for qualification. However, the presence of world-class players like Harry Kane means Bayern can score and control the game relatively easily. It`s anticipated that Bayern will secure the win, creating some tension for their opponent as the group stage concludes. Predicted Score: Benfica 1, Bayern Munich 2
