Benfica 6–0 Auckland City
Venue: Orlando City Stadium
Group C
Match Summary:
Benfica eventually steamrolled Auckland City after a frustrating first half and a long weather delay. Ángel Di María opened the scoring with a penalty in first-half stoppage time. The second half was a goal fest: Pavlidis, Renato Sanches, and a quickfire double from Leandro Barreiro buried the Kiwis. Di María added another penalty in added time to seal the rout.
Key Moments:
- ⚡ 45+8’ – Di María converts a penalty after Prestianni is fouled.
- ⛈️ Halftime – Match delayed due to thunderstorms.
- ⚽ 54’ – Pavlidis scores his 30th of the season.
- ⚽ 76’ & 79’ – Barreiro bags a brace in three minutes.
- ⚽ 90+’ – Di María nets his second penalty.
Stats:
- Shots: Benfica 18 – Auckland 1
- Possession: Benfica 68% – Auckland 32%
- Man of the Match: Ángel Di María
- Player Ratings:
- Di María – 9.5
- Barreiro – 9
- Pavlidis – 8.5
- Garrow (Auckland GK) – 7.5 (despite the scoreline)
Next Steps:
- Benfica need just a draw vs Bayern to qualify.
- Auckland City are eliminated but face Boca Juniors next.
Flamengo 3–1 Chelsea
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Group D
Match Summary:
Chelsea took an early lead through Pedro Neto, but Flamengoroared back in the second half. Bruno Henrique and Danilo scored in quick succession before Nicolas Jackson was sent off just four minutes after coming on. Wallace Yan added a third to seal Flamengo’s qualification.
Key Moments:
- ⚽ 13’ – Neto scores on a blistering counter.
- ⚽ 62’ & 65’ – Flamengo score twice in three minutes.
- 🟥 68’ – Jackson sees red for a reckless tackle.
- ⚽ 83’ – Wallace Yan finishes the job.
Stats:
- Shots: Flamengo 12 – Chelsea 9
- Possession: Flamengo 61% – Chelsea 39%
- Man of the Match: Bruno Henrique
- Player Ratings:
- Henrique – 8.5
- Danilo – 8
- Neto – 7.5
- Jackson – 3 (red card)
Next Steps:
- Flamengo are through to the knockouts.
- Chelsea must beat ES Tunis to advance.
ES Tunis 1–0 Los Angeles FC
Venue: Geodis Park, Nashville
Group D
Match Summary:
A gritty, low-scoring affair saw ES Tunis edge LAFC thanks to a 70th-minute strike from Youcef Belaïli. LAFC had two goals ruled out for offside and missed a penalty in stoppage time. Tunisian keeper Ben Said was the hero, saving Denis Bouanga’s last-gasp spot kick.
Key Moments:
- ⚽ 70’ – Belaïli scores from close range after a deflection.
- 🟨 51’ – Belaïli booked, suspended for next match.
- ❌ 90+8’ – Bouanga’s penalty saved by Ben Said.
Stats:
- Shots: LAFC 10 – ES Tunis 6
- Possession: LAFC 60% – ES Tunis 40%
- Man of the Match: Ben Said (GK)
- Player Ratings:
- Ben Said – 9
- Belaïli – 8
- Bouanga – 6
- Tillmann – 5.5
Next Steps:
- ES Tunis face Chelsea—winner goes through.
- LAFC are eliminated.
