Bayern Munich Edge Boca Juniors 2-1 to Secure FIFA Club World Cup Knockout Spot

Bayern Munich Clinch Knockout Berth After Hard-Fought Win Over Boca Juniors

You can never call a Bayern Munich game predictable—especially when Boca Juniors are involved. At the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, both juggernauts met in Group C, and what went down was anything but routine. Bayern Munich managed a 2-1 win, but it took grit, patience, and flashes of brilliance on a muggy evening that had both fans and neutrals on the edge of their seats.

Bayern needed just 18 minutes to stamp their authority. Harry Kane, living up to every bit of his reputation, pounced on a half-cleared cross from Konrad Laimer. One neat touch later, and the ball was buried past Boca’s Agustín Marchesín. The German champions were off to a dream start, and for a moment, it looked like Boca might fold under the pressure.

Boca Juniors, though, don’t just show up to make up the numbers. Their midfield, led by Kevin Zenon and supported with bursts from Miguel Merentiel, refused to be bullied off the ball. And when Bayern started to click in attack—especially with the ever-dangerous Michael Olise making darting runs—it was Boca’s turn to dig in. Marchesín pulled off a series of reflex saves, keeping Boca in the hunt as waves of red and white crashed forward.

The first half closed with one big scare for the South Americans. Michael Olise found the net with a precise finish, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag after Serge Gnabry strayed just ahead of the backline. Bayern’s protests were loud, but the decision stood, and with it, the tension only ratcheted up after the break.

The tide seemed to turn as Boca pressed higher. Emmanuel Advíncula started picking out runners in behind the Bayern defense, and it finally paid off around the hour mark. Miguel Merentiel seized on a loose ball at the edge of the box and rifled a low shot that even Manuel Neuer couldn’t keep out. For a few minutes, you could feel Boca’s confidence growing—and maybe, just maybe, the German side wobbling.

It didn’t help that Bayern had to shuffle their lineup. Jamal Musiala, who’d brought finesse and energy after coming on, picked up a knock and limped off, making way for Thomas Müller’s experience. As the game hurtled toward a draw, it was Bayern’s depth that told in the end. In the 84th minute, Michael Olise connected with a Leroy Sané cutback, smashing home the winner and setting off wild celebrations on the Bayern bench. The relief was clear: this was a match that could have slipped through their fingers.

Tactical Adjustments and What Comes Next

What separated Bayern from Boca on the night? Possession and quality in the final third were part of it. With Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka directing traffic from midfield and new faces like Jonathan Tah steadying the defense, Bayern always looked a pass or two away from creating danger. Boca’s counterattacking threat, though, kept things tense until the final whistle.

Manuel Neuer, as ever, stood tall when asked. His critical saves against Kevin Zenon and Lucas Janson in the second half ensured that Bayern’s slender advantage never evaporated. On the other end, Marchesín’s bravery stymied a string of Bayern attacks, including a stinging volley from Kane midway through the second period.

• Bayern sealed their last-16 place with one group game left to play, taking the pressure off their final Group C fixture.
• Boca Juniors, meanwhile, now face a must-win scenario in their last match to keep their Club World Cup hopes alive.

This win doesn’t just push Bayern forward in the tournament—it’s also a warning to anyone thinking their dominance is on the wane. But Boca haven’t lost everything yet. Their fight and sharp counters showed they can stand up to Europe’s best. The Club World Cup knockout rounds are shaping up for some real drama, and you get the sense the best is yet to come.