Benfica secured a narrow yet historic 1–0 victory over Bayern Munich in sweltering conditions in Charlotte, clinching top spot in Group C.
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Decisive moment: In the 13th minute, young forward Andreas Schjelderup capitalized on a defensive lapse, tapping in a low cross from Fredrik Aursnes to break the deadlock.
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Heat and rotation: Under 35 °C heat, Bayern’s rotated side delivered a lacklustre first-half performance, failing to register a single shot on target.
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Bayern response: Veteran Thomas Müller admitted the team “should’ve done better in the first half,” but praised their improved aggression after the break. A potential equaliser by Kimmich was ruled out for offside.
Key Performances
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Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica GK) earned Man of the Match, making several sharp saves to preserve the clean sheet.
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Bruno Lage (Benfica coach) urged belief in his squad after their first-ever win over Bayern, calling it a testament to the team’s progress.
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Bayern manager Vincent Kompany defended his rotation strategy, citing fixture congestion and heat, and confirmed no injury worries ahead of their Round-of-16 clash with Flamengo.
What It Means
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Standings:
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Benfica (Top, 7 pts) → will face Chelsea or Espérance de Tunis in the Round of 16.
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Bayern Munich (Second) → moves on to play Flamengo.
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Historic breakthrough: This marked Benfica’s first-ever win over Bayern, signaling a resurgence for the Portuguese side.
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Bayern’s outlook: Despite the defeat, rotating key players like Kane and Musiala protected them from fatigue or injury and kept momentum ahead of tougher knockout stages.
Match Summary
| Team | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Benfica | Top Group C via Schjelderup’s early goal; Trubin shines as defensive rock |
| Bayern Munich | Tired rotated lineup struggled early; stronger post-break but disallowed goal proved decisive |
Up Next
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Benfica: Takes on European/CAF side in Round of 16, riding momentum and confidence.
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Bayern Munich: Prepares for a tough test against Flamengo, aiming to reset after today’s heat and regroup for knockout football.
Benfica’s breakout performance in brutal conditions earned them a well-deserved Group-topping spot—and belief. Meanwhile, Bayern’s rotation gamble may yet pay dividends as the tournament heats up.
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| Photo: Getty Image |
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