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New York Post
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Bayern Munich vs. Benfica odds, predictions: FIFA Club World Cup picks, best bets Tuesday
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Bayern Munich demonstrated its mettle in a 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors last week, clinching its spot in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Bavarians now set their sights on Benfica, who can join Bayern in the knockout stages if they pick up at least a point against the German champions at the Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Bayern needs to avoid defeat to win the group, but the betting market is anticipating plenty of squad rotation from Die Roten as they try to keep fresh ahead of the business end of the tournament. Bayern is still the favorite to win the match, but they're sitting at plus-money on the three-way moneyline for this match. That wouldn't be the case if Vincent Kompany was expected to dress his best Starting XI. Known as a defensive powerhouse, you'd think that the circumstances of this match would suit Benfica. The Portuguese side only conceded 0.82 goals per match this past season, and they've conceded just one goal and 0.86 expected goals (xG) in two matches at the FIFA Club World Cup. Vangelis Pavlidis of Benfica celebrating a goal against Auckland City. AP The problem is that Bayern's defense is in another league compared to Benfica's. Only one team (Napoli) in Europe's Big 5 Leagues conceded fewer expected goals than the Bavarians did last season. Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps Throw in an offense that led Europe in goals per game, and you can see how this match can go sideways for Benfica in a hurry. Bayern, even with a rotated squad, should be a bigger favorite Tuesday. THE PLAY: Bayern Munich +100 (FanDuel) Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
Benfica-Aukland City Club World Cup game endures over two-hour weather delay
The Club World Cup fixture between Benfica and Aukland City was delayed by more than two hours on Friday due to the weather conditions in Orlando. The fixture at the Inter & Co Stadium was suspended at 1:06pm local time during the half time break amid thunderstorms and heavy rain in the area, with Benfica leading 1-0. Advertisement Fans were asked to leave their seats and take shelter while play was suspended. The lightening eventually subsided and players returned to the pitch to warm up, before it was confirmed play would resume at 3:20pm local time — two hours and 14 minutes after the game was initially paused. Benfica went on to win 6-0 against their amateur opposition, with Angel Di Maria scoring two penalties, Leandro Barreiro scoring twice and Vangelis Pavlidis and Renato Sanches also getting on the scoresheet. The fixture was the latest match at this summer's tournament to be delayed due to the weather conditions in the United States. Kick off for Wednesday's match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD was pushed back by more than an hour due to thunderstorms in the region, on the same day that the fixture between Red Bull Salzburg and Pachuca was halted for 97 minutes after a severe thunderstorm in Cincinnati. Thursday's game between Palmeiras and Al Ahly was then suspended due to severe weather in New Jersey. Benfica conclude their group stage campaign against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, while Auckland face Boca Juniors.
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Benfica 6 Auckland City 0: Lage's patience tested as underdogs dig deep
Benfica recorded their first win of the Club World Cup on Friday, beating Auckland City 6-0 in Orlando. But it wasn't an entirely comfortable ride for the Portuguese side. Auckland, who were beaten 10-0 by Bayern Munich in their first game of the tournament, were much improved on their second outing, frustrating Benfica with a solid defensive structure and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Nathan Garrow. Advertisement After firing 18 shots at the Auckland goal without success, an increasingly-frustrated Benfica finally found a route to goal from the penalty spot in first-half added time. World Cup winner Angel Di Maria converted from 12 yards, sending Garrow the wrong way before calmly passing into the net. The second-half restart was delayed by more than two hours due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, killing any opportunity for Benfica to carry their momentum into the second period. After the lengthy suspension of play, Auckland came out impressively in the second half, looking to get back on level terms. However, their hope was short-lived as striker Vangelis Pavlidis added a second in the 54th minute after an impressive moment of individual skill. Renato Sanches added a third from the bench as the floodgates opened. Defeat means the side from New Zealand are unable to qualify for the knockout stages. The Athletic's Elias Burke analyses the game's key talking points. While Auckland put up a valiant effort in the first half, the chasm in quality between the sides meant the result was inevitable; for Benfica, it was always a question of how many goals they'd score. Given Bayern's comprehensive margin of victory, they may regret not taking more of their chances. With Bayern as the considerable favourite to progress as group winners, the number of goals scored against Auckland may be the decisive factor in whether Benfica or Boca Juniors progress as runners-up. Frustration began to build within the Benfica camp as they struggled to break down the opposition, culminating in head coach Bruno Lage and midfielder Orkun Kokcu having what appeared to be an argument on the sidelines (pictured above) as the latter was substituted on the hour. Even after Barreiro put the result beyond any reasonable doubt with a fourth goal fifteen minutes later, Lage frantically demanded more goals from the sidelines, presumably recognising the importance of goal difference in this group. Should Boca avoid a big defeat to Bayern, Benfica's relatively modest margin of victory may offer some encouragement. For Lage's side, it may mean they go into the final game needing to draw or win against one of the favourites to lift the trophy on July 13. After their 10-0 defeat to Bayern last Sunday, you'd be forgiven for expecting Benfica to cut through Auckland's defence with similar ease — but they were much better prepared to frustrate their opponents at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. Auckland are accustomed to being the imposing team and somewhat naively set up in their usual 4-3-3 formation against Bayern Munich, ready to go toe-to-toe with the German champions. Manager Paul Posa learned his lesson against Benfica, switching to 5-2-3, offering goalkeeper Garrow more protection in defence. Advertisement The result will have surprised even the most optimistic Auckland fan. While Benfica frequently got into promising goalscoring positions, Auckland's defence held firm, with Garrow delivering what must have been the most impressive performance of his young career. The 20-year-old made seven saves in the first half, preventing an xG of 0.55 — highlighting the admirable job the outfielders did in limiting Benfica to low-percentage goalscoring opportunities. There was a fair amount of luck involved, too. When Benfica looked set to convert from close range, forces seemed to conspire against them to ensure a shot landed inches wide of Garrow's post. On the odd occasion, Auckland broke out from their half and threatened to launch a counter-attack. Fans must have dared to dream that those forces would somehow work in their favour to score an unlikely first goal in the tournament. However, it wasn't to be. Angel Di Maria calmly converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time, putting Benfica into a 1-0 lead. Given the chasm in quality, one goal was perhaps unassailable for Auckland, whose highlight of the tournament may be frustrating a European giant for so long. For Garrow, it was an exhibition of his talent on the world stage. Given his age and the fact his semi-professional contract expires at the end of the year, sporting directors from around Europe and beyond will undoubtedly be assessing his situation on the hunt for a potential bargain. Auckland City represent the Club World Cup's most unique story. In a tournament packed with European and South American heritage (as well as the financial strength of Saudi Arabia), Auckland City are an amateur club with a squad of part-time players — some of whom are taking annual leave (P.T.O) to play on the biggest stage of their careers. Advertisement They arrive in the United States as minnows — with their 10-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in their first game illustrating just how large the gulf in class is — but back in their home continent of Oceania, they're the giants. They compete in the New Zealand National League (after qualifying through the regional Northern League), the strongest league in the Oceania Football Confederation, as Australia's professional A-League competition is under the Asian equivalent, and are four-time defending champions. They qualified for the Club World Cup by lifting the OFC Champions League, a tournament they have won in 12 of the last 15 seasons. In the previous four years, they have beaten teams from Tahiti, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in the final, a far cry from Bayern, Benfica or Boca Juniors — arguably the most famous clubs of their respective major footballing nations. Still, they're not complete walkovers. Their players returned from the 2014 Club World Cup with bronze medals after beating Liga MX club Cruz Azul in a third-place play-off, though the result in the opening match may rule out any possibility of that happening this time around. Tuesday, June 24: Bayern Munich, Club World Cup group stage (Charlotte), 3pm ET, 8pm UK Tuesday, June 24: Boca Juniors, Club World Cup group stage (Nashville), 3pm ET, 8pm UK You can sign up to DAZN to watch every FIFA Club World Cup game for free
CNET
16-06-2025
- Sport
- CNET
FIFA Club World Cup Soccer: Stream Boca Juniors vs. Benfica Live From Anywhere
Boca Juniors kick off their Group C campaign tonight in Miami with a tricky test against Portuguese heavyweights Benfica. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch every match of the tournament as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if the match isn't available where you are, along with a full fixture list. The Argentine side comes into this match as slight underdogs, but will have the benefit of a fanatic fanbase all set to pack out the Hard Rock Stadium, with a huge number of travelling Los Xeneizes support set to turn the venue into a mini-Bombonera. Benfica will, meanwhile, be hoping for a positive campaign after a solid domestic season tinged with disappointment. They narrowly finished runner‑up to Sporting in the Primeira Liga before losing to them again in the Portuguese Cup. Boca Juniors take on Benfica on Monday, June 16, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. PT. That makes it an 11 p.m. BST start in the UK and an 8 a.m. AEST kickoff in Australia on Tuesday. Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis made 41 goal contributions for Benfica last season. Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images Livestream the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 for free The great news for footy fans is that sports streaming platform DAZN is set to broadcast all 63 matches of the FIFA Club World Cup free in almost every country, with coverage available in multiple languages. DAZN DAZN Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free Existing DAZN subscribers or Freemium members can watch every game of the tournament as part of their current membership. If you're not a member, it's easy to sign up for a free DAZN Freemium account using your email address to watch all the action at no cost through the DAZN app. As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, DAZN offers a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs. See at DAZN How to watch Boca Juniors vs. Benfica online from anywhere using a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with all the FIFA Club World Cup soccer action while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial. James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at Livestream Boca Juniors vs. Benfica for free in the UK As well as DAZN, footy fans in the UK have a second option for watching FIFA Club World Cup matches that is also free. Free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5 will show 23 select features live during the tournament, including today's tournament opener. That also means this match can be livestreamed via the network's My5 online service. Coverage begins at 10:45 p.m. BST. Livestream Boca Juniors vs. Benfica in Australia Australia has a second option for watching the tournament live. Alongside DAZN's free coverage, pay TV broadcaster Foxtel and its sister streaming service Kayo will also be showing all 63 games. Kayo Sports Kayo Sports Watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Australia for AU$25 A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$25 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$40 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices. The service gives you access to a wide range of sports, including F1, NRL, NFL, NHL and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts. Better still, if you're a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial. See at Kayo Sports Quick tips for streaming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 soccer using a VPN
The National
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Fifa Club World Cup Group C guide: Kane eyes another trophy at Bayern, amateurs Auckland dream of glory
How they qualified: Seventh-best team in Uefa four-year coefficient rankings. Manager: Bruno Lage. Portuguese is in his second spell in charge having returned to Benfica following stints in England and Brazil. Won the Primeira Liga in his first season with Benfica (2018/19), then the League Cup in January after beating Sporting Club on penalties in the final. Star player: Kerem Akturkoglu. Turkish left-winger has just enjoyed a sparkling first season in Portugal, scoring 18 goals and assisting a further 16 across competitions. Was a two-time title winner and Super Lig player of the season at previous club Galatasaray. Has notched 11 times in 30 appearances for his country – including a hat-trick against Iceland last September. One to watch: Vangelis Pavlidis. Greece striker's 19 goals last season was only bettered by Viktor Gyokeres' 39 for Sporting in the Primeira Liga scoring charts. Joined Benfica last summer, following a prolific spell at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, and ended his first campaign with 29 goals and 12 assists. Domestic season record: Finished second in Primeira Liga, two points behind champions Sporting Club. Fixtures: June 17 (2am kick-off UAE): Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. June 20 (8pm KO) Auckland City at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando. June 24 (11pm KO) Bayern Munich at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte. Auckland City (New Zealand) How they qualified: Best OFC Champions League winner of the four-year ranking period. Manager: Paul Posa. Previous manager Albert Riera had been a huge success but stepped aside with the club saying he was focusing on pursuing coaching qualifications and spending time with his family. Rosa was appointed in January for his second spell in charge, but the club have announced that he will not be with squad in US for the first two weeks of June 'due to personal circumstances'. Posa was juggling coaching amateur side Auckland with working four days a week at his dentistry practice, according to New Zealand website Stuff. Star player: Angus Kilkolly. New Zealand striker will be playing in his fifth Club World Cup; once with Team Wellington and the rest with Auckland whom he joined in 2020. 'We're going there a little bit naive and going there for dreams and a bit of a hope that we can come back with our own special story,' said the 29-year-old. One to watch: Myer Bevan. Home-grown striker, 28, arrives in US in good form having scored both goals in April's OFC Champions League final win over Hekari United – Auckland's fourth consecutive title and record-extending 13th crown overall. Domestic season record: Currently second in the National League – North, one point behind leaders Birkenhead United. Fixtures: June 15 (8pm kick-off UAE) Bayern Munich at TQL Cincinnati. June 20 (8pm KO) Benfica at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando. June 24 (11pm KO) Boca Juniors at Geodis Park, Nashville. Boca Juniors (Argentina) How they qualified: Second-best team in the Conmebol four-year rankings. Manager: Miguel Angel Russo. Appointed for third spell in charge just weeks before the tournament, replacing Fernando Gago. The 69-year-old won the 2007 Libertadores title in his first spell, followed by the 2019/20 Argentine Primera Division and 2020 Copa de la Liga Profesional in his second. Star player: Miguel Merentiel. Uruguayan striker – nicknamed 'The Beast' – has 42 goals and 15 assists in 120 games for Boca. The 29-year-old made his international debut against Venezuela in 2024. One to watch: Kevin Zenon. Versatile Argentine wingback has been linked with moves to Europe with the likes of Inter Milan, Newcastle United and Porto all reported to have taken an interest. The 23-year-old has goals and seven assists in 65 games for Boca. Domestic season record: Finished first tournament of Argentine Primera Division season (Torneo Apertura) second in Group A, level on points with leaders Argentinos Juniors but behind on goal difference. Knocked out in quarter-finals 1-0 by Independiente. The second tournament (Torneo Clausura) begins on July 17. Fixtures: June 17 (2am kick-off UAE): Benfica at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. June 21 (5pm KO) Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. June 24 (11pm KO) Auckland City at Geodis Park, Nashville. Bayern Munich (Germany) How they qualified: Best team in the Uefa four-year coefficient rankings. Manager: Vincent Kompany. Former Manchester City captain has just secured the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge of the Bavarian giants. Previously led English side Burnley to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. Star player: Harry Kane. England captain has been a relentless goal machine since moving to Germany in 2023, winning the Bundesliga top-scorer crown in successive seasons and has notched 82 times in 91 Bayern appearances – including 62 in 63 Bundesliga matches. One to watch: Michael Olise. Exciting French winger has just enjoyed a superb first season at Bayern after moving from English side Crystal Palace last summer, scoring 17 goals and providing 21 assists across competitions. The 23-year-old's 15 Bundesliga assists was also the best in the German top flight. Domestic season record: Finished as Bundesliga champions, finishing 13 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen.
