Match Preview
Club World Cup Preview: Benfica vs Boca Juniors
📍 Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | Monday, June 17, 2025
Two storied clubs with rich continental histories meet as Benfica face Boca Juniors in their Club World Cup Group C opener, with both seeking to stake an early claim in a group also featuring Auckland City and Bayern Munich.
Benfica: European Pedigree with Firepower
Benfica earned their place in this revamped tournament through UEFA’s four-year ranking, and the Portuguese giants arrive in Miami following another prolific domestic campaign. Scoring 84 goals in the Primeira Liga, they narrowly missed out on league and cup glory but demonstrated real strength in Europe – notably thrashing Atletico Madrid and earning away wins over Monaco, Red Star, and Juventus.
With Vangelis Pavlidis leading the line after a 19-goal season and Orkun Kökçü pulling strings in midfield, the Eagles are primed for a strong showing. Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi bring added bite, especially in a matchup filled with South American subplots.
🔍 Unavailable: Alexander Bah, Manu Silva
💡 Watch out for: Pavlidis, Kökçü, Di Maria
Boca Juniors: Turbulent Times, Veteran Grit
Though Boca Juniors boast a proud Intercontinental Cup history, recent form has been patchy. A Libertadores finalist in 2023, they’ve since stumbled—eliminated from 2024’s qualification playoffs and recently exiting Argentina’s Torneo Apertura. Coach Miguel Angel Russo returns amid instability, hoping to steady the ship.
Injuries to Edinson Cavani and possibly Luis Advíncula won’t help their cause, but veterans like Marcos Rojo, Sergio Romero, and Rodrigo Battaglia bring invaluable experience. Miguel Merentiel is expected to carry the goal-scoring burden.
🔍 Unavailable: Cavani (injury), Advincula (doubt)
💡 Watch out for: Merentiel, Battaglia, Romero
Form Guide
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Benfica: W W W D D L
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Boca Juniors: W W L D W L
Prediction
Benfica enter with sharper form, more cohesion, and arguably more depth. Boca’s veteran core could rise to the occasion, but recent turmoil and attacking absences may prove costly.
🔮 Predicted Score: Benfica 2–1 Boca Juniors