Jun 16, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; CA Boca Juniors midfielder Kevin Zenon (22) and SL Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi (30) battle for management of the ball through the second half in a bunch stage match of the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup at Arduous Rock Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Pictures
Nicolas Otamendi headed within the equalizer within the 84th minute to ship SL Benfica a 2-2 draw in opposition to Boca Juniors in a Membership World Cup match that featured three purple playing cards Monday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Otamendi’s purpose, a direct strike off Orkun Kokcu’s nook kick, got here when all sides was down a person. Boca Juniors, who squandered a 2-0 lead, completed the match with 9 males after Jorge Figal’s purple card within the 88th.
Benfica and Boca, representing Portugal and Argentina, respectively, earned one level apiece to start Group C play. Bayern Munich beforehand opened Group C with a 10-0 thrashing of Auckland Metropolis.
The scoring started within the twenty first minute when Boca’s Lautaro Blanco nutmegged his defender and despatched in a cross for Miguel Merentiel, who tapped the ball to the far nook previous Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Rodrigo Battaglia doubled the benefit within the twenty seventh. Kevin Zenon took a nook kick and Ayrton Costa headed a move proper to Battaglia for a close-range header purpose.
Benfica received on the board throughout first-half stoppage time when Carlos Palacios’ contact with Otamendi was deemed a foul after VAR. Boca’s Ander Herrera, who subbed out within the twentieth minute attributable to damage, drew a purple card for arguing the decision from the bench.
Angel Di Maria fired his shot from the spot into the bottom-left nook as Agustin Marchesin dove the flawed manner.
Andrea Belotti was proven purple for Benfica within the 72nd minute as he kicked Costa within the head when going up for a ball.
–Discipline Degree Media
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