84th Minute Stunner! Bayern Munich Breaks South American Streak, Becomes Second Club World Cup Knockout Qualifier

Under the blinding lights of Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, football giants collided in a heavyweight bout that lived up to its billing. Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors—each boasting six continental titles—faced off in a Group C showdown that delivered drama, controversy, and a late dagger that shook the Club World Cup landscape. With an 84th-minute winner from Michael Olise, Bayern edged Boca 2-1, secured six points from two matches, and became the second team to clinch a knockout spot in this expanded global tournament.

But more than just a group-stage clash, this was a spectacle soaked in tradition, star power, and the kind of football tension only two historic clubs can produce.

The stakes were massive from the outset. For Bayern Munich, a win would seal qualification for the round of 16. For Boca Juniors, avoiding defeat was vital to stay alive in a group that also features Benfica. The stage couldn’t have been grander—63,000 fans packed into a sold-out Hard Rock Stadium, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Boca legend and club president Juan Román Riquelme, and Italian icon Roberto Baggio watching from the VIP box.

Bayern came out of the gates with purpose and control. From the first whistle, they dictated possession and tempo. The first flashpoint came early: in the 8th minute, Michael Olise nearly scored directly from a corner kick, bending it viciously into the far post. The ball hit the back of the net, but celebrations were short-lived. VAR intervened and, after a pitch-side review, the referee ruled that Serge Gnabry had interfered with goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín. No goal.

But Bayern didn’t have to wait long.

In the 18th minute, Austrian midfielder Konrad Laimer sent in a dangerous cross from the right. A poor clearance from Boca’s backline fell kindly for Harry Kane, who calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner. It was the England captain’s first goal of the tournament and a statement strike after being held scoreless during Bayern’s 10-0 rout of Auckland City in the opener. Kane, arms raised and roaring with intensity, knew the magnitude of the moment.

Bayern had Boca on the ropes. Just a minute later, Gnabry cut the ball back across the six-yard box for Kingsley Coman, who somehow missed an open goal with a sliding attempt. In the 32nd, Olise was clean through on goal but failed to beat Marchesín one-on-one.

Despite Bayern’s dominance in the first half, they were wasteful, and Boca’s resilience kept them within touching distance. True to their Argentine identity, Boca played with grit and aggression. Their defensive physicality, while sometimes bordering on excessive, was largely allowed by a lenient referee, which kept their hopes alive going into the second half.

The second half saw more of the same. Bayern monopolized possession and continued to press high, suffocating Boca’s build-up play. But Boca, for all their struggles, remained dangerous on the break. In the 66th minute, they struck gold.

Alan Velasco, deployed on the right, picked up the ball near midfield and sent a perfectly weighted through ball to Miguel Merentiel. The Uruguayan striker, showing strength and speed, outran Josip Stanišić, performed a smooth “ball-and-body” feint to glide past him, and slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer into the far corner. 1-1. The blue-and-gold section of the stadium exploded in celebration. Against the run of play, Boca had clawed back.

The tie didn’t last long.

With time running out and both teams pushing for a winner, it was Bayern who found the breakthrough. In the 84th minute, Kane received the ball just inside the box, held it up under pressure, and laid it off to Michael Olise. The Frenchman took one touch and rifled a left-footed shot into the top corner—unstoppable, uncatchable. It was a moment of pure class and composure. Bayern led 2-1.

Olise wheeled away in celebration, pointing to the badge, as Kane collapsed with cramps moments later—a sign of just how physically draining this encounter had been. Even as Laimer added what looked like a third goal minutes later, VAR ruled him marginally offside. No matter. The result was sealed.

This win marked the end of an impressive South American run in the tournament. Before this game, the six South American representatives had collectively gone nine games without a loss (6 wins, 3 draws). Boca, with their storied past and rabid support, were supposed to carry the banner forward. Instead, it was Bayern who ended the streak.

From a tactical standpoint, Thomas Tuchel’s men showcased their trademark structure and pressing system. Kane’s movement and hold-up play opened lanes for runners like Coman and Olise, while midfielders like Laimer and Kimmich maintained vertical control. Though finishing remains an area of concern, Bayern’s fluidity and attacking threat were evident throughout.

As it stands, Bayern top Group C with six points and are guaranteed a place in the round of 16. Flamengo had already qualified from Group D, and if Bayern finish first, they’re likely to face Chelsea—presumed runners-up in D—in what could be a blockbuster last-16 encounter.

For Boca, the path is narrow. With just one point from two matches, their fate is no longer in their hands. They must win their final group game and hope Bayern and Benfica do not play to a draw. The result was a blow, but the performance and fight—especially from Merentiel—gave fans reason to keep singing.

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This wasn’t just a clash of titans—it was a collision of legacies. Bayern’s cold precision met Boca’s fiery soul in a match where every pass carried history. And in the 84th minute, Michael Olise didn’t just score a winner—he tore a page out of South America’s Club World Cup fairy tale and wrote one for Europe. On a night when giants roared, it was the calm before the finish that screamed the loudest.