Boca Juniors had a mixed start to life in the brand-new FIFA Club World Club, tying 2-2 to Portugal’s Benfica on Monday. Led by returning head coach Miguel Ángel Russo, the team secured a key result that could see them through to the quarter finals with just a few results going their way.

A heated debut

It was Benfica who took control of the game at the beginning. The Portuguese team, which features Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi, put Boca on the back foot and nearly took the lead when a shot by forward Bruma hit the post. Russo’s team then settled on the pitch as the game wore on, and began to take the game to the Portuguese side.

In the 20th minute, defender Lautaro Blanco pushed forward on the left and put in a low cross for striker Miguel Merentiel to score.

The goal gave wings to Boca, who became the dominant force, pushing a discombobulated Benfica. Just seven minutes later, the Xeneize doubled their lead through a corner.

That’d be the best of it for Boca, as Benfica quickly regained control of the match and pushed for a comeback. In the dying moments of the first half, defender Nicolás Otamendi went down inside the box during a corner, and referee César Arturo Ramos gave the penalty after a VAR revision.

Forward Ángel Di María took the shot, scoring the 2-1, and later caused confusion when he appeared to apologize. He raised an arm into the air with an open palm, a gesture usually used by players after they score against their former team. Di María, however, has never played for Boca.

“I was waving at my family, who were up there in the stands,” the Qatar 2022 winner later explained. “Everyone’s saying I was apologizing, but what can I do… It was good for us.” 

Boca came out in the second half ready to weather the storm, with Russo bringing in substitutes to keep the team fresh. When Benfica striker Andrea Belotti was sent off in the 70th minute, it looked like Boca was about to pull an unexpected debut win.

It all came undone in the 83rd minute, as Otamendi scored a clean header from corner for the definitive 2-2 score. 

The defender, a self-confessed River Plate fan, celebrated enthusiastically in front of the Boca fans, which later brought him into some heated arguments. After the final whistle went, several Xeneize players sought him out, chief among them goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín. 

“Shut the hell up, get out of here,” Otamendi could be heard replying, “You talk a lot now you’re playing for Boca.” The goalkeeper has previously spent a chunk of his career at Benfica rivals FC Porto.

After the match, Russo looked pleased with his team’s performance, although he lamented the penalty, which “didn’t look like one” to him at first glance.

“We looked well organized and played a smart match,” the Xeneize coach said. “There’s a lot to be happy about, we were at the level you need at these kinds of tournaments.”

What now for Boca Juniors?

The tie gives Boca a big chance to qualify to the quarter finals, although it needs a few results to go its way. 

After the debut, Xeneize now has to play German giants Bayern Munich and OFC Champions League winners Auckland City. The two have already played each other in the tournament, with a historic 10-0 win for Bayern being the result. 

The German team, which is leading Group C, is a heavy favorite to qualify in first on paper. The Xeneize will do well to avoid defeat, and hopes for a tight match between Auckland and Benfica. The game is set to kick off Friday at 10 p.m.

After that, Boca will face Auckland on Wednesday 24, at 4 p.m., quite possibly needing a win to have any chance of securing a spot in the knockout stages. Additionally, depending on other results, the Xeneize will likely need a hefty Bayern win against Benfica, to keep the goal average in their favor. 

All times are Argentine time.

“Our goal is to be competitive,” said Russo ahead of the tournament. “These are not run-of-the-mill games, we’re facing very well drilled teams. You have to find the gaps and choose the right moments to push.”