Club World Cup: Benfica earn first-ever win over Bayern Munich to top Group C

In a historic match at the Club World Cup, Benfica achieved a significant milestone by defeating Bayern Munich 1-0, marking their first-ever victory against the German giants. The decisive moment came in the first half when Andreas Schjelderup found the back of the net after just 13 minutes. He converted a low cross from Fredrik Aursnes with a deft first-time finish, taking advantage of a defensive oversight from Bayern. The match, played under sweltering conditions, saw Benfica take control early on, setting the tone for their performance throughout the game. With this win, Benfica secured the top position in Group C, advancing them to the knockout stages of the tournament where they will face either Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis in the round of 16.

Bayern Munich, despite their loss, had already guaranteed their progression to the next phase of the competition prior to this match. Their coach opted for a rotated lineup, which seemed to lack the urgency needed to overturn the deficit. After halftime, Bayern began to show signs of improvement, with Joshua Kimmich coming close to equalizing. However, his goal was disallowed due to an offside call against Harry Kane, which underscored the difficulties Bayern faced in breaking down Benfica's defense. Ultimately, Benfica's historic victory not only boosts their confidence but also sets up an intriguing challenge in the knockout round, while Bayern will look to regroup as they prepare to face Group D leaders Flamengo in their next match.