Charlotte, NC- Bayern Munich seemed to be on an easy way to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 title, but their journey encountered some obstacles on June 24th when Benfica team defeated the Germans by 1-0 in Charlotte. Although Bayern Munich had already qualified and assured their place in the knockout stage, the defeat was a grim reminder that, football being football, even the largest outfit could be caught napping. An early strike, an excellent display of goalkeeping, and a bit of VAR drama turned out to be the undoing of a rotated Bayern lineup.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said during the post-match presentation:
“I think our first half wasn’t good at all. With the pitch and the heat, I just feared this wouldn’t go as fluid as normal,”
FINAL. BENFICA 1-0 BAYERN MUNICH.
— Tomiconcina (@Tomiconcina) June 24, 2025
BOCA JUNIORS QUEDA ELIMINADO DEL MUNDIAL DE CLUBES, SIN IMPORTAR SU RESULTADO VS AUCKLAND CITY. pic.twitter.com/FmuasAuj95
Benfica Strikes Early
The German football giants had a bolt start in the match. Only 13 minutes into the match, Andreas Schjelderup made it into the back of the net on behalf of Benfica off a properly struck cross performed by Fredrik Aursnes. It was the first impression, as Bayern, despite the endless possession tempo, appeared awkwardly divided in the first half.
Manager Vincent Kompany who made seven changes to his starting eleven, potentially in order to give some resting time to his most important players before the upcoming Club World Cup games, appeared to have shot himself in the foot as the team made sluggish starts and could not really create any good scoring chances.
Even the famous goalkeeper Manuel Neuer acknowledged the fact that the team was not very intense and focused during the first period. Bayern became stronger as the second half rolled in.With high-profile player Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich, and Michael Olise replacing them at the half, there was some backbone and impetus put behind Kane and Joshua Kimmich.
The pressure got to Benfica, yet their defense held against a splendid effort on the part of goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who put in an extraordinary showing that was truly an exceptional way to maintain teams and resist.
Trubin the saviour
Trubin was already writing the history of that night, and with a number of fabulous saves he kept the players and spectators of Bayern motionless. He made two incredible saves on two occasions having gone one on one with Leroy Sane who would have easily pulled his German team into it.
He then repelled another shot by Thomas Muller with massive responses and even held off a short ranged rocket by Aleksandar Pavlovic off his leg. It was a keeping workshop, a keeping masterclass, which gave him professional credits as he was made position- Man of the Match by the two sides.
Luck Not Favoring Bayern
What made the Bayern even more nervous was that the offside goal was not scored in the 61st minute but the court created the huge controversy among the fans. Joshua Kimmich took a strong shot and made the ball enter the net, however, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened.
It was revealed on replay that it is offside by Harry Kane and this can be taken to mean that this is the person who makes Trubin blind. Such appeal to the argument highlighted the unfortunate night of Bayern die Losers who made an attempt to crack the defensive line but could not succeed it eventually.
Bayern’s Frustration: Missed Chances and a Bitter Lesson Learned
The second part was marked by Bayern trying everything to achieve the equalizer in vain as the team failed, although this period was filled with missed chances. Harry Kane, normally so ruthless, headed a cross from a late corner wide, an unusual experience for Bayern Munich fans.
A weak start, a reshuffled team tussling with unity, and an inspired performance in goal by Benfica proved to be their demise. Although this defeat will not completely jeopardize their goals at the FIFA Club World Cup, it should be a good lesson for the Bayern tactical approach during the home legs of the knockout games at this prestigious international club football competition.
“Anyway, we were dominant, we created more chances, and we didn’t win. We can’t afford for this to happen but we still take momentum into the next game.” – said Bayern Munchen Manager Vincent Kompany in the Post-match Presentation
Baishali Karmakar 
Vibhor Gautam 
Priyanjan Paul
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