HILTON COSTA MESA, CA - Both #17 C4-SL Benfica and #2-Bayern Munich clung to just 1-0 halftime leads but while SLB exploded after a 2 hour weather delay for five goals to win 6-0, BAY needed a late strike to outlast #95 C3-Boca Juniors, 2-1. The goal of the tourney thus far was BOC's goal as the attacker passed to himself as he ran past a confused defender with a clinical strike to tie it at 1. BAY became the first team to clinch a spot in the Round of 16 while #163 C2-Auckland City became the first team eliminated. BOC's loss was South America's first loss of the tournament (6-1-3).
But #356 D4-LAFC would soon join AKL, as a missed PK late in stoppage time allowed #101 D2-ES Tunis to win 1-0. LAFC didn't even have a shot on goal until the 4th minute of stoppage time (ended with 2 with saved PK) in their best opportunity to pick up 3 points. #27 D1-Flamengo rallied to upset #12 D3-Chelsea 3-1 to lead win Group D. LAFC usually only chokes in championship games, not the group stages.
Visited the Hilton Costa Mesa as a site visit for an upcoming IEEE meeting in 2027 and wore my 2023 home Boca Juniors jersey with all the patches. BOC fans are some of the best and created a great atmosphere in Miami, almost getting BOC a draw.
Posts
