Safety man holds him back
Professional from Bayern opponents starts with referee-and sees red
June 17, 2025 – 07:40 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Four goals, three times red, and a scramble: in the 2-2 of the Bayern group opponents Boca and Benfica at the club World Cup, things really got down to business. The game was twice bitter for an ex-united star.
Bayern should be warned at the club World Cup in front of their coming two opponents. In their 2-2 to 55,574 spectators in Miami, the Boca Juniors and Benfica Lisbon showed an extremely rough gait on Tuesday night. The referees had to do all hands full and had to be partially protected.
From the perspective of the South Americans, the game started promising: in the 21st minute, Meren tint put his team 1-0 in the lead after the Blanco was presented. Just six minutes later it was Battaglia who increased to 2-0 after preparatory work from Costa. Benfica seemed overwhelmed in this phase – until the aftermath of the first half.
Then the events overturned: After a foul by Boca defender Carlos Palacios to Nicolás Otamendi, referee César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos decided on penalty. While the referee checked the scene on the screen, Ander Herrera-already replaced-ran angry and screaming from Boca-Bank to the referee and the fourth official. A security guard stood in his way and could only stop him with difficulty. The result: red for Herrera.
Previously, the Spaniard, who once ran for Manchester United and Paris St. Germain, had to leave the field after only 20 minutes due to injury. Argentina’s world champion Ángel di María will convert the due penalty to his compatriots to 2: 1 (45.+5).
After the change of sides, Benfica took command – but had to cope with a setback in the 68th minute: Andrea Belotti hit Ayrton Costa badly on the head and saw the red card. However, the Portuguese also equalized in the outnumber: Otamendi, like Di Maria Argentinier, was completely free in the 84th minute after a corner from Orkun Kokcu and headed to 2-2.
Boca reacted frustrated-in the 88th minute Nicolás Figal also saw red to Florentino Luis after a frustration foul.
He lacks the Argentine just like Herrera on Saturday (3 a.m. German time) when it comes to Bayern. After the 10-0 shooting festival against Auckland, the German record champion can already make it perfectly into the round of 16.
But it is clear: the club from Buenos Aires will make it much more difficult to start with Vincent Kompany’s eleven than the New Zealanders start. Especially since Boca is already doing everything for Boca in the second group game. So it should get pretty hot for Bayern in Miami.