Harry Kane and Michael Olise stole the headlines in FC Bayern München’s thrilling 2-1 victory over CA Boca Juniors at the Hard Rock Stadium to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
But the first victory over a South American team in the global showpiece — at the 10th time of asking — can be credited in large part to the hands and feet of Bayern’s imperious goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Playing as a sweeper-keeper, Neuer showcased his multi-dimensional skills when he blocked a powerful effort from Kevin Zenon in the 34th minute with a strong right hand to maintain Bayern’s 1-0 lead. He then dazzled the crowd after the break as he rushed almost to the halfway line, to calmly keep the ball from Miguel Merentiel’s clutches and start a possession in a dangerous position.
There was little Neuer could do about Merentiel’s stunning equaliser as he attacked the Bayern goal and found the perfect angle to score. Nonetheless, Neuer was proud of both his individual performance and that of the team.
“I think I played a good match in sweeper-keeping to make good build-up (play) with my defensive line,” Neuer told FIFA. “In the first half I made one important save with the 1v1 with the striker. And with the 1-1 situation in the second half it was very difficult because he had too much time and the angle was good.”
Following Bayern’s 10-0 demolition of Auckland City FC, Neuer was particularly delighted with the manner in which the Bundesliga giants ground out a narrow victory against far stronger opposition to secure their passage to the knockout stages.
“It was not easy, we expected a very tough game. We faced a team from South America and it’s not so easy to face them. It’s a very tough game and it showed tonight,” Neuer added. “The Boca fans were very loud, especially the second half when they equalised.
“We are looking forward because I think we have a good team and we are one of the favourites of this tournament. We stay strong together.”
Bayern almost made it 3-1 when Konrad Laimer put the ball in the net in the 87th minute but the midfielder’s effort was ruled out for offside. Laimer noted how cool Bayern remained on a scorching hot evening in South Florida after Boca equalised to secure the victory.
“We stayed calm after the equaliser. We had many chances before, we could have easily (made) it two, three, four zero. That is football sometimes,” Laimer told FIFA. “We knew we would get our chance and we scored in the 86h minute. We stayed also cool afterwards and controlled the game.
“It’s tighter (than it needed to be) because we didn’t take our chances. It was good overall. We were a little bit down in the second half when we conceded the goal and overall it was an important and deserved three points for us.”
Laimer noted the importance of Kane getting on the scoresheet after missing out on the resounding victory against Auckland City. “Harry is a striker and he is here to score goals and he does this the best. I’m happy and I hope there are more to come,” he added.
