Benfica battles back against Boca to secure a 2-2 stalemate.

Two veteran Argentinian stars played pivotal roles as Benfica staged a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against fellow countrymen Boca Juniors in their Group C showdown at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in Miami, with both teams finishing the match with ten men in a heated contest.

Benfica arrived at this match keen to extend their impressive run of scoring in 15 consecutive fixtures, and they quickly made their intentions known. Just six minutes in, a clever play down the left created an opportunity for Renato Sanches, but he misfired, sending his shot wide.

The ageless Angel Di Maria soon began to dictate play, delivering a cross that was expertly controlled by Bruma, whose attempt hit the post in the 19th minute.

However, just three minutes later, the 38-time Portuguese champions found themselves trailing after Boca netted the game’s first significant goal.

Lautaro Blanco expertly manoeuvred on the left, nutmegging his defender, Florentino Luis, before supplying a precise low cross to Miguel Merentiel, who diverted the ball past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Not content with just one, the Argentinians quickly doubled their lead as they converted their second shot on target. A corner delivered deep by Kevin Zenon was headed back across the goal by Ayrton Costa to Rodrigo Battaglia, who nodded it home, making it 2-0.

The two goals seemed to deflate Benfica, but they found a way back just before halftime when Nicolas Otamendi was adjudged to have been fouled in the area. After a VAR review, Di Maria calmly converted the penalty to narrow the gap.

Considering Boca’s previous five matches saw only three goals scored after the break, a turnaround for As Águias appeared challenging. As the hour mark approached, Otamendi’s header that sailed over was the only attempt registered by either side.

Miguel Angel Russo’s team responded with another header from Battaglia, but this time he missed the target.

As tensions heightened in the final 20 minutes, the game turned even more intense when Andrea Belotti received a straight red card for a high challenge on Ayrton Costa.

Despite being a man down, Bruno Lage’s side refused to back down and equalised six minutes from time when Otamendi powered a header from an Orkun Kokcu corner past Agustin Marchesin.

Alvaro Carreras then squandered a golden opportunity to clinch victory, extending Benfica’s winless streak across all competitions to four matches.

Meanwhile, Boca achieved a notable milestone as the first Argentinian team to avoid defeat against a European side in CWC history, despite Jorge Figal receiving a red card late on for a reckless challenge on Florentino Luis.

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