Bayern 2-1 Boca Juniors: Bayern through to Round of 16 after enthralling win
Bayern started the competition with a statement 10-0 victory over Auckland City, but this is considered their first big test for multiple reasons. Boca’s aggressive approach, the raucous atmosphere created by their fans at the Hard Rock stadium, and the excellent form of CONMEBOL teams were enough reasons to see this as a very enticing fixture.
Before this game, South American teams avoided defeats in each of their nine games since the start of the competition. Bayern’s approach was to dominate possession by patient buildup play from the back.
They thought the first goal arrived in the seventh minute when Michael Olise’s corner-kick directly ended up on the net. However, the referee disallowed the goal after consulting VAR on whether Serge Gnabry’s movement was a foul on Boca’s goalkeeper, Agustin Marchesín.
Ten minutes later, the opening goal did come when Harry Kane showcased his striker's instinct. The Englishman was quick to react as he scored his first goal of the tournament after Luis Advíncula intercepted Konrad Laimer’s cross.
A couple of minutes later, Kingsley Coman missed an open goal and a chance to join Ángel Di María and his teammate Jamal Musiala at the top of the scoring chart. Moments later, the 29-year-old made amends with a superb pass to fellow French winger Olise, but the decision to round Marchesín hasn’t paid off.
Olise and Kane also had chances from direct free-kicks before the break. For their part, Boca grew into the game as Manuel Neuer was called into action twice by midfielder Kevin Zenón. Nonetheless, Bayern had a comfortable half with over 70% possession.
The Argentine did improve after the restart, which might well be the reason for Vincent Kompany’s double substitution in the 55th minute. Ten minutes later, he prepared two more changes, including the Galatasaray-bound Leroy Sane.
However, Boca suddenly leveled the score before Bayern made the substitutions. Olise was dispossessed in Bayern’s half, and Miguel Merentiel gets the better of Jonathan Tah and Josip Stanišić to score his second stunning goal of the tournament.
There was more concern for Bayern when Jamal Musiala went off injured 25 minutes after coming on. That was all the time Bambi needed to score a hat-trick against Auckland City, but he had a different experience this time around.
Shortly after the substitution, Olise changed the nature of the game once again. In a crowded box, the winger had the presence of mind to curl a beauty for his 20th goal in Bayern colors. Laimer thought he added a third after that, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
Harry Kane, who registered a goal and an assist, won the “Superior Player of the Match” award. Bayern will face Benfica in the final game of the group, with a draw enough to secure a top spot. With Flamengo winning Group D, Bayern’s likeliest opponent would be Chelsea if Kompany’s team finishes top of Group C.
