Benfica clawed back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors on Monday night in a heated Club World Cup encounter that featured three red cards, four yellow cards, and 21 fouls.
Played in front of a passionate, Boca-heavy crowd of 55,574 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the Argentine side appeared to be on course for a famous win after goals from Miguel Merentiel (21st minute) and Rodrigo Battaglia (27th) gave them a commanding early lead.
However, tensions flared late in the first half. Referee César Ramos pointed to the spot after a VAR review determined that Carlos Palacios had kneed Nicolás Otamendi in the box. Ángel Di María calmly converted the penalty in first-half stoppage time to cut the lead in half. Moments later, Boca’s Ander Herrera, already subbed off due to injury, was shown a red card for protesting the decision.
The match only grew more chaotic after the break. In the 72nd minute, Benfica striker Andrea Belotti received a straight red card for a dangerous high boot to the back of Ayrton Costa’s head. Boca were reduced to nine men when Nicolás Figal was dismissed in the 88th for knocking over Florentino.
Despite being a man down, Benfica found the equalizer in the 84th minute. Otamendi rose at the near post to head home and rescue a point for the Portuguese side. Otamendi’s powerful header in the 84th minute salvaged the draw and capped Benfica’s comeback. Boca Juniors, fueled by strong fan support and despite recent struggles in the Argentine league and Copa Libertadores, put on a spirited display. They willl face a tougher test against Bayern Munich on Friday night, again in Miami.
Benfica looked disjointed and frequently surrendered possession, but managed to avoid defeat. They will take on Auckland City, the only semi-professional side in the tournament , on Friday in Orlando. The New Zealand club suffered a heavy loss to Bayern in their opener. “This was a game where there’s two really big teams and they’re gonna leave it all out there on every ball,” said Alan Velasco, Boca Juniors midfielder. ““It will be a new experience (playing against Auckland City FC), of course, we saw the result against Bayern and we will have to do the same, ” said Samuel Dahl, Benfica defender
