Benfica Rallies Late to Salvage Dramatic Draw Against Boca Juniors

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup witnessed one of its most thrilling matches yet as Benfica staged a gritty comeback to draw 2-2 against Boca Juniors in a fiery Group D encounter. The game, played in Miami Gardens, had it all—early goals, a penalty, three red cards, and a late equalizer—keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Boca Juniors came flying out of the gates, taking a commanding 2-0 lead within the first 27 minutes. Miguel Merentiel opened the scoring with a clinical finish, before Rodrigo Battaglia powered in a header to double the advantage. However, Benfica clawed their way back just before halftime when Ángel Di María coolly converted a penalty after a VAR-reviewed foul on Nicolás Otamendi.

The goal sparked controversy, as Boca’s Ander Herrera—already substituted—was sent off for protesting from the bench. The second half descended into chaos as Benfica’s Andrea Belotti was shown a straight red for a reckless high boot. Despite being a man down, the Portuguese giants pressed forward and found their equalizer in the 84th minute. Otamendi, the former Argentina defender, rose majestically to meet a corner and thundered a header into the net, completing Benfica’s hard-fought comeback.

Boca’s frustration boiled over late on when Jorge Figal was also dismissed, leaving them with nine men, but they clung on for a point. In the day’s other Group D match, Chelsea secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC. Yet, all eyes remained on the Boca-Benfica thriller—a match that perfectly encapsulated the drama and unpredictability of the Club World Cup.