Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FIFA Club World Cup match.
Boca Juniors, now led by newly appointed head coach Miguel Ángel Russo and featuring a core of seasoned players including Edinson Cavani, will look to make a statement against Benfica in their Club World Cup opener. Benfica narrowly missed out on two domestic trophies and enter the tournament eager to bounce back from a frustrating end to the season.
Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors are currently navigating a transitional period. Their last piece of silverware came in 2022, and this season they only managed a quarter-finals finish in the Apertura. The late appointment of Miguel Ángel Russo ahead of the tournament was a reactive decision, underlining the uncertainty surrounding the squad. Key figures include striker Edinson Cavani, midfielder Ander Herrera, and goalkeeper Sergio Romero. However, Edinson Cavani has only two goals in 11 league appearances, Ander Herrera has played in just six matches, and Sergio Romero is unavailable through injury.
Benfica
Benfica, in contrast, stumbled at the final hurdle in their domestic campaign, relinquishing the league title and suffering defeat to Sporting Clube de Portugal in the domestic cup final. Despite this, their international focus remains sharp. Even with the departures of experienced figures like Arthur Cabral and Ángel Di María (who will join Rosario Central on 1 July), Benfica have kept their core intact while integrating an exciting new generation. Vangelis Pavlidis and Kerem Aktürkoğlu have stood out, combining for 30 goals in the Primeira Liga.
Boca Juniors vs Benfica Prediction
Benfica arrive at the Club World Cup in excellent form, unbeaten in their last 13 fixtures. In contrast, Boca Juniors are still in a rebuilding phase and seem to lag behind in terms of both squad strength and financial clout. Benfica are widely expected to take all three points in this opening clash.
