Tuesday’s decision day at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup sees Benfica or Boca Juniors contesting the second qualification spot from group C, while Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis will advance from Group D. Here is your look at all the action.
Auckland City vs Boca Juniors
(Tuesday in Nashville)
Boca Juniors battled hard against a superior Bayern Munich side, forced to defend and off the ball most of the match, they tied the game in the second half, but the defense couldn’t hold. Bayern Munich cracked them late to win 2-1, and put Boca Juniors in a difficult position to advance to the knockout stage. The fan support for Boca has shook the stadiums that they play in, and in Nashville, they will have to will this side to a massive victory against the amateurs Auckland City to have any hope at qualification. Auckland City put together a fantastic first half against Benfica, they trailed only 1-0, but they still still lost by 6 goals. That’s an improvement after they conceded 10 against Bayern Munich. Boca may not have Bayern’s talent, but on a -1 goal difference, they need to score early and often to try to pull ahead of Benfica (on +6 differential).
Boca are going to win this match, it’s a question of margin, and it’s going to be interesting to watch. It’s also a question of whether Auckland can avoid going goalless this tournament. Prediction: Boca Juniors 7 Auckland City 0
Benfica vs Bayern Munich
(Tuesday in Charlotte)
Drawing with Boca Juniors and putting 6 goals past Auckland after a slow start may be enough to get Benfica out of the group stage, but they must draw or defeat Bayern to ensure it’s not a question of goal differential. Benfica’s slow start is rather worrying, and Bayern Munich are a talented and motivated side. Already qualified, it may not matter as much to the Bundesliga Champions, but finishing top of the group is important, I’ll back Harry Kane to lead Bayern to a win and make Boca’s final game matter. Prediction: Bayern Munich 2 Benfica 1
LAFC vs Flamengo
(Tuesday in Orlando)
Failing to convert a late penalty and going scoreless against Esperance, who scored in the 70th minute via Youcef Belaïli lead to LAFC’s elimination from this tournament. The play in team couldn’t make it out of the group stage, and now they will face a hostile crowd in Orlando, a major hotbed for the Brazilian diaspora in the United States. Flamengo’s stunning win over high priced Chelsea, a 3-1 win that was built on three second half goals, shows their quality. Flamengo believes they are the best team in Brazil, with the money and topping this group at stake, I don’t see them backing off in this game, especially with the vocal fanbase behind them. Flamengo should dominate this match. Prediction: Flamengo 3 LAFC 1
Esperance vs Chelsea
(Tuesday in Philadelphia)
Chelsea already missed one chance to reach the knockout phase, surely they won’t miss that chance again against the Tunisian side Esperance. Esperance secured a significant financial windfall beating LAFC, while Chelsea are deeply wounded after their loss. They were outplayed in the midfield, bossed off the ball, and striker Nicolas Jackson got a red card and won’t participate in this match. Things started well for Chelsea with Neto’s goal, but it fell apart after that. I’m not sure what Esperance has to hurt Chelsea with though, and even a draw would see Chelsea through to the next phase. Prediction: Chelsea 2 Esperance 0
Main Photo Credit: by Octavio Passos/Getty Images
