The final round of Group C in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup pits two of Europe’s most storied clubs against one another as Benfica face Bayern Munich at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Both sides are in decent form, with Bayern already assured of progression to the knockout stage and Benfica seeking to secure their own place with a result against the German champions.
Benfica enter this fixture buoyed by a resounding 6-0 victory over Auckland City, a result that secured their first three points of the campaign following their disappointing draw with Boca Juniors in their tournament opener. Angel Di Maria, in his final appearances for the club, converted two penalties and spent the game orchestrating attacks, while Leandro Barreiro’s quickfire brace after the weather delay underlined the depth in Roger Schmidt’s squad. The Portuguese side played with an impressive degree of attacking fluency, but the quality of the opposition is an obvious caveat here.
The squad has a good blend of age profiles, with stalwarts like Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi providing leadership, and players in their physical prime such as Vangelis Pavlidis and Leandro Barreiro offering dynamism. Benfica’s midfield, featuring Orkun Kökçü and Renato Sanches, is capable of controlling possession and dictating tempo. Defensively, António Silva and Otamendi anchor a back line that will be tested by Bayern’s firepower.
Bayern Munich have been in ruthless form, opening their campaign with a 10-0 demolition of Auckland City before edging Boca Juniors 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Michael Olise. These results have already secured their progression to the knockout phase, and a draw or better against Benfica will guarantee top spot in the group.
Vincent Kompany’s side boasts enviable depth, with new signings Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof joining established figures such as Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and Harry Kane. Jamal Musiala, joint-top scorer in the tournament, has returned from injury and is expected to be available after a minor calf issue. Olise’s form, with goals and assists in both group matches, has added a new dimension to Bayern’s attack. The Bavarians’ ability to rotate without losing quality means Kompany may rest key players, but the squad’s strength in depth remains a significant advantage.
This fixture carries historical weight, with Bayern having never lost to Benfica in 13 previous European encounters, with 10 wins and three draws, including a narrow 1-0 victory in their last Champions League meeting. Benfica, for all their domestic dominance, have struggled to overcome the so-called “curse” in continental competition, but the Club World Cup is a fresh opportunity for them to experience success beyond Portuguese soil.
Benfica 1-2 Bayern Munich
