Weather Interruption
Play was halted for over two hours just before halftime, as a severe thunderstorm forced fans to take shelter and delayed the match in line with strict U.S. regulations. At that point, Benfica already led 1–0 thanks to a penalty converted by Ángel Di María.
Drama on the Bench
The game was punctuated by tension on Benfica’s sideline. Coach Bruno Lage substituted Orkun Kökçü in the 62nd minute for Renato Sanches, triggering a fiery reaction from Kökçü—who refused to shake hands with the coach and had to be restrained by teammates after a verbal clash.
Bundesliga Breakout
After play resumed, Benfica exploded into action with goals from:
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Renato Sanches (62′)
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Leandro Barreiro
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Ángel Di María (second strike via penalty)
and further contributions, culminating in a one-sided scoreline.
Implications & Outlook
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The win puts Benfica firmly in control of Group C, awaiting tougher tests against Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors.
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For Auckland City, who recently won the OFC Champions League and suffered a heavy 0–10 loss to Bayern, the match highlighted the vast gulf in quality—and the challenges amateur sides face on the global stage.
Takeaway: Despite a comfortable win, Benfica’s match was overshadowed by storm delays and sideline drama—raising questions about team cohesion ahead of the next stage.