FIFA Club World Cup: Boca Juniors and Benfica finished with a point apiece by producing one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament so far that saw four goals, three red cards, and a boisterous Boca fan section on Tuesday (IST).
After 20 minutes of domination by the Portuguese, it was Boca who opened the scoring. Midfielder Carlos Palacios won a long goal kick, leaving left-back Lautaro Blanco in space against an out-of-position Florentino. Blanco nutmegged the Benfica midfielder before whipping in a low left-foot cross to the near post, where Miguel Merential deftly flicked home.
Just six minutes later, and with the noisy traveling brigade of Boca fans in full voice, Boca doubled their advantage from a corner kick. Centre-back Ayrton Costa won the initial header, heading the ball back across goal from the far post. Midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia then out-jumped his marker to head in at the near post, FIFA reports.
