Boca Juniors Clash with Benfica: Match Preview, Bold Predictions & Starting XI Revealed
Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors will meet Portuguese side Benfica in their inaugural encounter, as both teams compete in Group C of the 2025 Club World Cup.
Bayern Munich stand as clear favorites to progress to the round of 16 as group leaders, making Monday's clash crucial in determining which team will accompany the German giants to the knockout phase.
Boca delivered an impressive 2025 Apertura campaign and have claimed this competition's previous versions on three occasions. Nevertheless, Argentine clubs have historically faced difficulties against European teams, including Boca's 4–2 defeat to a talented Milan squad in the 2007 Club World Cup final.
Miguel Ángel Russo has commenced his third tenure managing the six-time Copa Libertadores champions following their decision to separate from Fernando Gago. Russo has taken over a skilled roster with substantial experience, though they enter as the less favored team.
Benfica secured their tournament spot through UEFA's ranking system due to their reliable continental performances over the previous four seasons. Bruno Lage's team was eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 in their last appearance and concluded the Primeira Liga season as runners-up behind city rivals Sporting CP.
Sporting subsequently defeated Benfica 3–1 in the Taça de Portugal final to conclude the campaign.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview for Monday's match.
When Does the Boca Juniors vs. Benfica Match Begin?
Boca Juniors vs. Benfica Historical Meetings
This marks the inaugural competitive match between Boca Juniors and Benfica.
Recent Performance (All Competitions)
Boca Juniors | Benfica |
|---|---|
Boca Juniors 0–1 Independiente – 20/05/25 | Benfica 1–3 Sporting CP – 25/05/25 |
Boca Juniors 0–0 (4–2p) Lanùs – 11/05/25 | Braga 1–1 Benfica – 17/05/25 |
Tigre 1–1 Boca Juniors – 04/05/25 | Benfica 1–1 Sporting CP – 10/05/25 |
River Plate 2–1 Boca Juniors – 27/04/25 | Estoril 1–2 Benfica – 03/05/25 |
Boca Juniors 2–0 Estudiantes – 20/04/25 | Benfica 6–0 AVS – 27/04/25 |
Television Coverage for Boca Juniors vs. Benfica
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | DAZN, Channel 5 |
United States | DAZN |
Canada | DAZN |
Mexico | DAZN |
Boca Juniors Squad Updates
Edinson Cavani has demonstrated at Boca that his scoring ability remains intact, though the experienced striker faces uncertainty for Monday's fixture due to a calf problem.
Cavani's fellow Uruguayan, Miguel Merentiel, has served as Boca's primary attacking threat this season, contributing nine goal involvements during his team's successful 2025 Apertura. Regardless of Cavani's fitness, the Uruguayan might partner with Milton Giménez in attack against the Portuguese opposition.
Ex-Manchester United players Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera have been selected in Russo's tournament squad, though both may find themselves excluded from the starting eleven for their opening fixture. Marco Pellegrino is expected to be unavailable due to a muscle problem.
Boca Juniors Expected Formation vs. Benfica
Boca Juniors expected formation vs. Benfica (4-3-1-2): Marchesín; Blondel, Battaglia, Costa, Blanco; Belmonte, Delgado, Zenón; Palacios; Merentiel, Giménez.
Benfica Squad Updates
Injury has sidelined Zeki Amdouni from the tournament, while Benfica are also missing Manu Silva and Alexander Bah this summer due to ongoing knee problems.
Ángel Di María has made the trip to the U.S, though Greek forward Vangelos Pavlidis emerged as Benfica's standout performer in 2024–25.
Pavlidis gained momentum after a sluggish beginning to his Portuguese career, with only Sporting's Viktor Gyökeres surpassing Benfica's striker in Primeira Liga goal contributions last season.
Álvaro Carreras stays with the club despite interest from Real Madrid, while António Silva represents another promising Benfica defender who might depart later this summer.
Benfica Expected Formation vs. Boca Juniors
Benfica expected formation vs. Boca Juniors (4-3-3): Trubin; Araújo, Otamendi, Silva, Carreras; Luis, Kökçü, Aursnes; Di Maria, Pavlidis, Aktürkoğlu.
Boca Juniors vs. Benfica Match Forecast
The atmosphere in both teams likely differs considering how Benfica concluded their season versus Boca's strong Apertura performance. Lage's squad fell short to Sporting once more, but they appeared more cohesive under the former Wolverhampton Wanderers coach.
The returning Russo might make Boca challenging opponents this summer, and they could believe in their ability to create an upset in Miami. They'll seek to neutralize Benfica by defending deep before launching quick counter-attacks.
This encounter promises to be a tactical and fragmented affair that could be settled by a moment of brilliance from the Portuguese team.