Boca Juniors have been eliminated from the Club World Cup with Benfica finishing as group leaders.
The Argentine club drew 1-1 against Auckland City and was unable to get the win against the team from New Zealand. It was Boca Juniors who took the lead off an own goal from Nathan Garrow but Auckland City would draw level with a goal from Christian Gray. That draw leaves them on two points, finishing ahead of Aucland City who had one point.
Benfica got a 1-0 win against Bayern Munich with Andreas Schjelderup scoring. Benfica will play the runner up of Group D which is Flamengo, Chelsea or Espérance de Tunis.
What a disappointing display from Boca. They cannot beat a team of amateurs that have day jobs as teacher, butcher, postman etc. Boca look clueless and kept trying the same recipe that did not work, cross after cross in the box where Auckland was defending in massive numbers. You need to play fast to create openings, players with quick feet, tiki taka football.
Russo, the new coach, looked completely clueless as well. No tactical changes, no directions on the sideline, nothing. He just sat there and watched (probably in disbelief). This Boca is a far cry from the days of Riquelme and Battaglia that beat Madrid in the world club final 25 years ago.
After Benfica beat Bayern, the game was pointless. But still, you would think they would feel the obligation to beat a team of amateurs. The draw is a disgrace to Argentine football.
Hopefully the other Argentine team (River) will progress to the next stage.