Benfica vs Auckland City | Club World Cup | Group Stage - Matchday 2 of 3 | Pre Match
Benfica vs Auckland City
Benfica, the storied Portuguese giants, head to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on Friday, June 20, 2025, with their sights set on securing maximum points against Group C minnows Auckland City in their second FIFA Club World Cup fixture. After a gritty comeback to salvage a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in their opener, Benfica are eager to capitalize on a favorable matchup against an overmatched New Zealand side that suffered a historic 10-0 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich. The clash, pitting one of Europe’s attacking powerhouses against Oceania’s part-time representatives, offers Benfica a golden opportunity to end a rare four-game winless streak and bolster their chances of advancing from a competitive Group C, where Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors loom as formidable rivals. For Auckland City, the match is a daunting exercise in damage limitation, as they confront a Benfica side brimming with firepower and determined to make a statement in the expanded 32-team tournament. Set against the backdrop of Orlando’s balmy summer climate, the encounter promises to highlight the stark disparities in quality while showcasing Benfica’s ambition to cement their status as serious contenders.
Benfica’s opening match against Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium was a tale of resilience and character, as they battled back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a valuable point in a fiery contest. Trailing 2-0 just before halftime, the Eagles were sparked into life by two Argentine veterans who proved instrumental in turning the tide. Angel Di Maria, the former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain star, halved the deficit with a coolly converted penalty in first-half stoppage time, won through the tenacity of captain Nicolas Otamendi. The 37-year-old center-back, a boyhood River Plate fan, then completed the comeback with an 84th-minute equalizer, rising highest to head home a set-piece and sparking jubilant scenes among Benfica’s traveling supporters. Otamendi’s performance was nothing short of heroic, as he contributed to both goals while making a match-high nine clearances to thwart Boca’s relentless attacks. His pointed celebration in front of Boca’s fans, a nod to his River Plate allegiance, added a layer of personal triumph to a captain’s display that epitomized Benfica’s fighting spirit. The match, however, was not without its costs, as striker Andrea Belotti’s reckless red card left Benfica with 10 men, though Boca finished with nine after two late dismissals. The 2-2 draw, while hard-fought, underscored Benfica’s attacking potency and defensive resolve, qualities that manager Bruno Lage will look to harness as they aim to secure a knockout berth in a three-way battle with Boca and Bayern. With 84 goals in last season’s Primeira Liga, where they narrowly missed the title to rivals Sporting Lisbon, and an unbeaten scoring record in 2025 save for a Champions League loss to Barcelona in March, Benfica’s confidence in their attacking arsenal is well-founded as they prepare to face Auckland’s brittle defense.
Auckland City, by contrast, endured a nightmarish introduction to the Club World Cup, suffering the competition’s heaviest-ever defeat in a 10-0 rout by Bayern Munich in Cincinnati. The Navy Blues, ranked a staggering 5,074th globally, were overwhelmed from the outset, conceding four goals within the first 20 minutes as Bayern’s ruthless precision exposed their defensive frailties. The part-time outfit, despite their remarkable record of 13 OFC Champions League titles in less than two decades, looked hopelessly out of their depth against the six-time European champions, their dreams of replicating their improbable third-place finish in 2014 shattered in brutal fashion. Auckland’s struggles are not new; they have now lost eight consecutive matches at FIFA’s premier club tournament, a streak that includes a 6-2 thrashing by Al-Ain in last year’s Intercontinental Cup. Drawn into a Group C that features two of the world’s elite clubs, Auckland’s participation is a testament to their regional dominance but also a stark reminder of the chasm separating Oceania’s best from Europe’s elite. Manager Ivan Vicelich, a club legend, faces an unenviable task in rallying his squad for the Benfica clash, with the focus firmly on minimizing the damage against a side whose attacking prowess rivals that of Bayern. For Auckland, the match is less about chasing an unlikely result and more about restoring pride and gaining experience on a global stage, though their defensive organization will need a miraculous improvement to avoid another humbling defeat.
Benfica’s squad selection for the Auckland match presents Lage with intriguing decisions, particularly after his tactical choices against Boca Juniors. Regular starters Orkun Kökçü and Kerem Aktürkoğlu were rested in the opener, with Kökçü appearing as a substitute while wearing strapping, raising doubts about his fitness for Friday’s game. Given the looming showdown with Bayern Munich next week, Lage may opt to manage Kökçü’s minutes, potentially preserving the midfielder’s creativity for the more demanding fixture. Portugal’s leading chance creator last season, Kökçü’s absence would be felt, but Benfica’s depth allows for rotation without sacrificing quality. Other stars, such as Di Maria or João Mário, could also be rested to ensure freshness, with Lage likely to balance experience with youth. The absence of long-term absentees Alexander Bah and Manu Silva, coupled with Belotti’s suspension, limits Benfica’s options slightly, but Vangelis Pavlidis is set to lead the line. The Greek striker, who scored 19 goals and provided seven assists in the Primeira Liga last term, is primed to exploit Auckland’s porous defense, his movement and finishing making him a constant threat. Supporting cast members like Gonçalo Guedes and David Neres, both capable of unlocking defenses with their flair, add further firepower to a Benfica attack that has rarely been stifled this year. Lage’s tactical setup, typically a fluid 4-2-3-1, will aim to dominate possession and stretch Auckland’s likely five-man defense, creating space for Pavlidis and his teammates to wreak havoc.
Auckland City’s hopes of containing Benfica rest on a collective defensive effort and the individual brilliance of a few key players. Forward Myer Bevan, a well-traveled striker with experience in Canada and New Zealand, represents their primary attacking outlet, his physicality and goal-scoring nous offering a faint glimmer of hope against Benfica’s high defensive line. Bevan will likely be supported by Dylan Manickum, a New Zealand futsal international who earned player of the tournament honors in the 2025 OFC Champions League. Manickum’s versatility and work rate could trouble Benfica’s full-backs, though his influence will be limited by Auckland’s expected defensive posture. At the back, goalkeeper Conor Tracey faces a daunting task, with Benfica’s relentless attacking waves likely to keep him under siege for much of the match. Vicelich’s decision to deploy a five-man defense, designed to absorb pressure and frustrate opponents, reflects Auckland’s pragmatic approach, but their inability to hold firm against Bayern suggests Benfica will find gaps to exploit. The Navy Blues’ part-time status, with players balancing football with day jobs, adds a romantic underdog narrative but also underscores the immense challenge of competing against a professional outfit of Benfica’s caliber. For Auckland, success will be measured not in points but in moments of defiance, whether through a rare counter-attack or a string of saves from Tracey.
The matchup at Camping World Stadium, with its capacity for over 60,000 fans, is set to draw a diverse crowd of Benfica supporters, local soccer enthusiasts, and curious neutrals eager to witness the Club World Cup’s global appeal. Orlando’s warm, humid conditions will test both teams’ endurance, though Benfica’s superior fitness and squad depth should give them an edge. For the Portuguese side, the game is a chance to build momentum and end their winless run, which has seen them stumble in recent domestic and European outings. A convincing victory would not only boost their goal difference—a potentially decisive factor in Group C—but also send a message to Bayern and Boca that Benfica are ready to compete for a knockout spot. For Auckland, the focus is on pride and resilience, as they aim to avoid another record-breaking defeat and gain valuable experience against one of Europe’s storied clubs. The contrast in pedigree, resources, and ambition makes this a David-versus-Goliath affair, but Benfica’s attacking firepower and Auckland’s defensive frailties suggest a one-sided outcome is likely. As the Club World Cup continues to captivate a global audience, Friday’s clash in Orlando will showcase the tournament’s unique blend of elite competition and underdog spirit, with Benfica poised to soar and Auckland bracing for a stormy challenge.
