In a historic breakthrough on the grand stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Benfica stunned German giants Bayern Munich with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday, topping Group C and advancing to the Round of 16 as group winners. It marked Benfica’s first-ever win over Bayern Munich, ending a 13-match drought that had seen the Portuguese side suffer 10 defeats and manage only three draws.
The decisive moment came early in the sweltering Georgia heat, as Andreas Schjelderup broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. The Norwegian winger met Fredrik Aursnes’ driven cross from the right flank with a composed first-time finish, exploiting a rare lapse in Bayern’s normally rigid backline.
With Bayern already assured of progression into the knockout rounds, manager Thomas Tuchel fielded a heavily rotated side, resting several regular starters. The decision reflected in their tempo and urgency, especially in a first half where Benfica controlled the rhythm and looked more determined.
Despite Bayern’s sluggish start, they showed flashes of their quality in the second half. Joshua Kimmich appeared to have equalized just after the hour mark with a clean strike from outside the box. However, the goal was chalked off after VAR confirmed Harry Kane had interfered with play from an offside position, screening the goalkeeper in the buildup.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was instrumental in preserving the lead, turning in a Man-of-the-Match performance. The Ukrainian shot-stopper denied Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leroy Sané with outstanding reflex saves in the final 20 minutes as Bayern turned up the pressure.
After the match, Benfica manager Bruno Lage praised his team’s belief and preparation.
“We came into this knowing our history against Bayern, but we weren’t afraid of it,” Lage said. “The players believed in the game plan, and to come away with the win against one of the world’s best is a testament to the character of this group.”
Benfica will now face the winner of Group F runner-up Chelsea or African champions Espérance de Tunis in the Round of 16. Bayern, meanwhile, finish second in the group and will face a daunting test against Group D winners Flamengo, who looked dominant in their own group-stage campaign.
The result injects fresh intrigue into the knockout stage of the Club World Cup, as Benfica’s confidence grows and Bayern look to regroup for a tougher path forward.
As temperatures rise both on and off the pitch, Benfica’s march into the Club World Cup knockout rounds carries a new wave of belief — and a warning to the tournament’s elite.
