Bayern Munich Edges Past Boca Juniors to Secure Club World Cup Knockout Berth as Kane and Olise Star

Bayern Munich Tested but Triumphs Over Boca in Club World Cup Drama

If there’s a place European footballers dread, it’s facing a fired-up Boca Juniors crowd in sweltering conditions. Bayern Munich found that out first-hand, sweating out a 2-1 win that sent them into the Club World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare—but nothing came easy.

Early on, it was one-way traffic. Bayern barely let Boca Juniors touch the ball, keeping a whopping 72% possession through the first half. Harry Kane, always the man for the big occasion, struck in the 18th minute. He’d just missed a slick chip attempt, but when Michael Olise’s shot was spilled by Boca’s Agustín Marchesín, Kane jumped ahead of everyone, pouncing for a tap-in. It looked like business as usual for the German powerhouse.

But Boca’s stubbornness soon showed. Even as Bayern pressed with relentless passing, they just couldn’t turn dominance into a bigger lead. Michael Olise thought he’d doubled it from a corner, but the referee called it back for a foul—it was a harsh blow, and Serge Gnabry looked bemused. Kingsley Coman and Olise peppered Boca's goal but found only frustration. The Buenos Aires crowd, never short on passion, made every touch a trial for Bayern.

When Jamal Musiala limped off in the 25th minute—another frustrating setback for Bayern—veteran Thomas Müller had to step in and stabilize things. Musiala’s injury gives coach Thomas Tuchel something extra to worry about with bigger games looming.

Olise Delivers Late Winner as Bayern’s Depth Shines

Despite dominating the scoreboard, Bayern seemed to wobble after the break. Miguel Merentiel, a name everyone inside the stadium will remember, turned the game on its head in the 66th minute. He took on the Bayern defense single-handedly and buried the equalizer, sending a bolt of energy through Boca’s ranks—and the stadium crowd into a frenzy.

With the heat rising and nerves jangling, Bayern’s experience finally told. Michael Olise answered when it mattered most—settling the contest with just six minutes left. His finish, coming after some tidy interplay in the Boca area, wasn’t just a winner; it felt like relief for a team under real pressure. The goal wrapped up Bayern’s ticket to the round of 16 and let them breathe a little easier before their last group game.

After the whistle, Harry Kane was honest: matches like this are never easy, and the Club World Cup is a huge stage. He praised Boca’s fight and said Bayern knew they’d have to dig deeper than usual. The squad’s resilience, especially with Harry Kane and Olise stepping up at the crucial moments, gives reason for Bayern fans to believe anything’s possible in the coming rounds.

Bayern’s mix of established stars and new energy—plus a tactical flexibility that let them overcome setbacks—makes their Club World Cup run worth watching. But with injuries starting to bite and tougher opponents ahead, their real challenge might be just beginning.