Benfica will face off against Bayern Munich with the ambition of clinching a spot in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Despite maintaining an undefeated streak in the tournament, the Portuguese side has yet to secure advancement. Facing Bayern Munich will be no small feat, as the German side consistently stands out as a championship favorite, boasting a robust defense and a formidable attack.
Under the leadership of head coach Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich have already locked in their place in the next round with two impressive victories. Their defensive confidence has soared following the acquisition of Jonathan Tah, who quickly cemented his status as a crucial starter. Additionally, Michael Olise has emerged as a pivotal player, showcasing his exceptional pace and goal-scoring prowess.
Although Benfica, led by Bruno Lage, have not yet secured their advancement to the Round of 16, they continue to display promise in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Veterans like Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria, combined with the vigor of the team’s talented young players, have helped propel Benfica through the competition unscathed. To progress, the Portuguese side will need to maintain their defensive solidity against one of the most offensively gifted teams in the tournament.
What happens if Benfica beat Bayern Munich?
A victory for Benfica against Bayern Munich would secure their automatic advancement to the Round of 16 as the group leaders. This achievement would set up a matchup with the second-placed team in Group D, which could be either Chelsea or Esperance ST, depending on today’s result.
Angel Di Maria #11 of SL Benfica celebrates scoring his team’s sixth goal with Renato Sanches #85 and Leandro Barreiro #18 of SL Benfica during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group C match between SL Benfica and Auckland City FC at Inter&Co Stadium on June 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Moreover, defeating the German powerhouse would mark a historic first for Benfica, having faced them 13 times previously with a record of three draws and ten losses. Such a triumph would further bolster Benfica’s international reputation, as they would be the sole Portuguese team to progress to the next phase, showcasing their competitive prowess on the international stage.
see also
Benfica vs Bayern Munich LIVE: Start time and how to watch the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match
What happens if Benfica and Bayern Munich tie?
In the event of a draw between Benfica and Bayern Munich, both teams would advance to the next stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. However, Benfica would finish as the group’s runner-up, resulting in a challenging Round of 16 clash against Flamengo, one of CONMEBOL’s elite teams.
What happens if Benfica lose to Bayern Munich?
If Benfica loses to Bayern, they can still secure second place in Group C based on tiebreak criteria. This hinges on Boca Juniors not overcoming Benfica’s +6 goal difference advantage. Their last encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, which means the tiebreaker will rely on goal difference.
Should Boca Juniors match Benfica’s goal difference, the decision would move to goals scored, where Benfica leads with eight compared to Boca’s three. Therefore, maintaining their scoring margin is crucial for Benfica’s progression. If they are tied on goals scored, fair play points would be the next tiebreaker, favoring Benfica for advancement.
