FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group C: Benfica vs Bayern Munich | Preview and Predictions

This massive Group C encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played between Liga Portugal runners-up SL Benfica and German Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich on June 25th at the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte. 

Here’s our preview and prediction for the game.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group C: SL Benfica vs FC Bayern Munich | 00:30 IST, June 25 

Bayern Munich is already through to the Round of 16 with two wins out of two games while Benfica needs a win to ensure qualification. After the 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City, the Bavarians defeated Argentinian club Boca Juniors 2-1 in their second group game. 

In the Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors game, striker Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Konrad Laimer’s cross into the box was cleared by the Boca Juniors defence but Kane grabbed the ball and placed it into the bottom corner. 

Miguel Merentiel then scored the equaliser in the 66th minute with what can be called as a moment of individual brilliance. The Uruguayan forward drove forward from the halfway line, dodging two Bayern defenders before striking the ball into the net. However, Bayern reclaimed the lead with a powerful low strike into the far corner from Michael Olise in the 84th minute. Boca Juniors couldn’t find a proper riposte and ended up losing the match. 

SL Benfica also won their match against New Zealand outfit Auckland City thrashing their opponents by six goals. Ángel Di María opened the scoring from the spot-kick in the first half stoppage-time to give Benfica the lead. 

Benfica’s Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute when he received a through ball and went past his marker to finish into the net. 10 minutes later, Renato Sanches made it three with a deflected strike from outside the box. In the 76th minute, Benfica piled more misery on the New Zealanders when Leandro Barreiro tapped in at the far post. He scored his brace two minutes later with another close-range tap-in. In the second half stoppage-time, a penalty was awarded to Benfica for a foul on Di María in the box and he converted it calmly to make it six. 

While Bayern Munich are already through, Benfica still need to win to ensure qualification as Boca Juniors are also in the mix. If Bayern Munich rest some of their key players, Benfica do have the firepower up front to hurt them. However, if we compare full strength eleven, Bayern Munich are a relatively stronger team with the likes of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. However, Benfica have a strong attack with Pavlidis, Orkun Kökçü and Kerem Aktürko?lu along with the highly experienced veteran Di Maria who can threaten a vulnerable Bayern defence. Difficult to call this game but I think it could end in an entertaining draw. 

Score Prediction: SL Benfica 2-2 Bayern Munich 

Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina