Benfica Thrash Auckland City 6-0 in FIFA Club World Cup

Benfica dominates Auckland City with a 6-0 win in the FIFA Club World Cup. Read more about the match.

Benfica thrashed Auckland City 6-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup, securing their first win in eight neutral-soil games.

Auckland City's struggles in the competition continued, extending their losing streak to seven games with an aggregate score of 27-1.

Benfica's Kerem Aktürkoglu had the game's first chance just two minutes in but flashed wide despite being well-placed. Auckland barely touched the ball early on, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

Benfica soar to victory. 🦅#FIFACWC

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 20, 2025

Benfica's attack thrived on the wings, but Auckland's defense held firm centrally. Nicolás Otamendi's acrobatic overhead kick, though straight into the keeper's arms, brought a spark of excitement.

Goalkeeper Nathan Garrow made key saves, denying Orkun Kökçü and keeping his team in the game. Meanwhile, Jerson Lagos' promising shot was blocked at the other end.

Auckland City's Haris Zeb pushed his team forward, creating clever attacks with Myer Bevan and Zhou Tong, but Benfica manager Bruno Lage grew increasingly frustrated as his team failed to capitalize.

Despite ample chances, Benfica's Aktürkoglu shot wide again, Ángel Di María's long-range effort sailed over, and Vangelis Pavlidis inexplicably missed from six yards out after a great pass.

Ángel Di María broke the game open for Benfica earning his first #SuperiorPlayerofTheMatch #FIFACWC #SuperiorisWorthPlayingFor pic.twitter.com/4TnzeKKvqQ

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 20, 2025

Benfica's luck was epitomized by a disallowed goal just before halftime. Goalkeeper Nathan Garrow's impressive seven saves kept Auckland City in the game, but the team's resilience finally cracked in stoppage time.

A reckless challenge from Haris Zeb earned Benfica a penalty, which Ángel Di María coolly converted, breaking Auckland's resistance in the final minutes.

A 2-hour 20-minute delay due to bad weather didn't dampen the action in the second half. Both teams attacked, with Haris Zeb's low shot pushed wide by Anatoliy Trubin and Myer Bevan going close soon after.

The deadlock was finally broken when Vangelis Pavlidis expertly finished, giving Benfica a clear lead.

Renato Sanches made an impact soon after coming on, scoring with a long-range shot. Despite sustained pressure, Benfica's breakthrough came when Leandro Barreiro bundled home two goals in quick succession, making it 4-0 and 5-0 as Auckland City's energy waned.

The match ended with another penalty, awarded after Nikko Boxall's reckless challenge on Ángel Di María. Di María sealed the 6-0 win with a clinical low finish.

The 6-0 scoreline didn't reflect Nathan Garrow's heroics, which likely prevented an even heavier defeat. Although Auckland City failed to score, Benfica's lackluster first-half display might leave them nervous ahead of their Group C clash against Bayern.

Auckland City's tournament woes continued, having conceded 16 goals in just two games. They'll head home after their final match against Boca Juniors.