JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (BN24) — Benfica surged to the top of Group C at the Club World Cup on Tuesday with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, handing the German giants their first loss of the tournament.
Andreas Schjelderup delivered the decisive moment in the 13th minute, slotting home a low shot after a well-worked build-up, giving the Portuguese side an early lead that held through the rest of the match. The result secured Benfica’s position atop the group, while Bayern Munich dropped to second. Boca Juniors, meanwhile, was eliminated from contention.
Bayern struggled to impose themselves in sweltering 97-degree heat (36 Celsius), and despite a raft of changes at halftime, the Bundesliga champions failed to break down Benfica’s disciplined defense.
The match’s pivotal moment came early, as Schjelderup capitalized on a defensive lapse to put Benfica in front. From then on, Roger Schmidt’s side stayed compact and well-organized, absorbing Bayern’s pressure through the second half.
Looking to spark a comeback, Bayern made five halftime substitutions, bringing on star striker Harry Kane alongside Konrad Laimer, Joshua Kimmich, Michael Olise and Jonathan Tah. However, the fresh legs failed to produce a breakthrough.
Despite holding more possession and creating a flurry of chances after the break, Bayern’s final touch eluded them. Benfica, meanwhile, showed maturity and control, closing out the match with tactical poise.
The defeat marked Bayern’s first stumble in the tournament and raised concerns ahead of the knockout rounds later this week.
