On Monday, the first two groups of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 were finalized, and Tuesday brings action from two more. First up were the Matchday 3 fixtures in Group C, featuring Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors, and Auckland City.
Bayern Munich had a perfect start in their first two matches: they opened with a dominant 10-0 win over Auckland City, followed by a narrow 2-1 victory against Boca. That made them the first team in the group to secure a place in the next round.
Benfica drew 2-2 in their opener against the Argentine side, then cruised to a 6-0 win over the New Zealanders, putting themselves within reach of qualification. However, to secure their place, they still needed at least a draw against the German side. They rose to the occasion, earning a 1-0 win that not only sent them through to the Round of 16 but also gave them the top spot in the group.
Boca Juniors were the other team still in contention for a spot in the Round of 16. They held their own against both European sides, coming within minutes of defeating Benfica and drawing with Bayern Munich. But on Matchday 3, they needed more than just a win over Auckland City—they also needed a Benfica loss. That didn’t happen, and as a result, they were eliminated from the tournament.
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Is it better to finish first or second in Group C?
In Group C, Bayern Munich had already secured their spot in the next stage of the Club World Cup, but Matchday 3 was still crucial to determine whether they would advance as the first- or second-place team in the standings. That distinction affects not only their opponent in the round of 16, but also the number of rest days before that match.
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Benfica clinch first spot of the group after 1-0 victory vs Bayern Munich at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
With their 1–0 win over the Germans, Benfica clinched the top spot. Paradoxically, though, they’ll face the disadvantage of having one fewer day to rest before their next challenge. The schedule sets their round of 16 clash against the runner-up of Group D for Saturday, June 28, at 4 PM (ET) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their opponent will be decided Tuesday night, and it could be either Chelsea or Esperance ST.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, finished second in Group C and will benefit from an extra day of rest before taking the field again. Their round of 16 match will take place on Sunday, June 29, at 4 PM (ET) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Their opponent is already set: Flamengo of Brazil, who clinched the top spot in Group D after just two matches.
SurveyIs it better to finish first in Group C?
Is it better to finish first in Group C?
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