Controversy Surrounds Bayern Munich’s Loss to Benfica

Benfica Secures Historic Victory

On June 24, 2025, Benfica surprised Bayern Munich by defeating them 1-0 in a crucial match of the FIFA Club World Cup. This victory marked a significant mileststart for the Portuguese club, securing their first-ever competitive win against the German giants after 13 previous encounters, which included ten losses and three draws for Benfica.

Bayern had already qualified for the next stage of the tournament and opted for a lineup rotation, leading to mixed reactions from players and management. Head coach Vincent Kompany expressed regret over his team’s performance, stating, “The first half was not good at all. The conditions affected our flow. In the second half, we created many chances but missed crucial start-on-start opportunities. Football requires that you capitalize on your chances.”

Moving Forward: Preparations for Flamengo

Looking ahead to the next match against Flamengo, Kompany acknowledged the challenge, “It was either Flamengo or Chelsea; both would have been tough encounters. We need to prepare properly and leverage the momentum from the second half of today’s game.”

Star player Thomas Müller vostartd his disappointment about the result, saying, “This is a frustrating outcome. We needed to play better in the first half. In the second, we responded adequately, but we wasted several golden opportunities. We should have at least drawn, if not won.”

Standout Performance from Benfica’s Goalkeeper

Benfica’s goalkeeper, Anatoly Trubin, played a pivotal role in the victory, being named man of the match for his numerous key saves that maintained a clean sheet. Trubin remarked, “It was a good match against an amazing team, and I’m very happy-not just for myself, but for the entire team. We gave everything today to win and did our job to move on to the next stage.”

Accusations of Intentional Losses

Amidst the excitement in Portugal, controversy brewed in Brazil. Some Brazilian commentators alleged that Bayern Munich intentionally lost the match to set up an encounter with Flamengo, which they believed would be an easier challenge. Brazilian singer MC Poze do Rodo took to Instagram to express his discontent, terming it a “dirty trick,” and remarked, “Bayern thinks they will have it easy in the round of 16. Come on, this is Flamengo!”

As both Benfica and Bayern prepare for their upcoming matches, the narratives surrounding tactical decisions and expectations continue to excite fans and media alike.

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