By Mohamed Islam Bouteraa

Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was a cauldron of noise, painted mostly in Boca Juniors’ blue and gold, but it was Benfica who walked away with their heads held highest after a truly bonkers 2-2 draw. 

This wasn't just a football match; it was pure, unadulterated drama – red cards flying, a stunning comeback, and enough tension to power South Beach. 

In the end, both teams finished with 10 men, bruised but unbeaten in their Club World Cup Group C opener.

The Rollercoaster Ride:

The first half was pure Boca fireworks. After 20 cagey minutes, Lautaro Blanco turned his marker inside out with a filthy nutmeg and whipped in a dream cross for Miguel Merentiel to hammer home (21’). 

Just six minutes later, the Argentine fans were in ecstasy again: Kevin Zenón's corner found Ayrton Costa, who nodded it back across goal for Rodrigo Battaglia to make it 2-0. Benfica looked shell-shocked.But right before halftime, hope flickered. 

A VAR check spotted a foul on the experienced Nicolás Otamendi in the box. Up stepped Ángel Di María, ice in his veins, to bury the penalty (45’+3). The half ended chaotically as Boca’s Ander Herrera lost his cool, earning a straight red for dissent – sending Boca down to 10.

The second half was pure, scrappy tension. Benfica pressed but seemed destined for frustration, especially when Andrea Belotti saw red for a high boot on Costa (72’), levelling the numbers at 10 vs 10. Just when it looked like Boca might hold on... Captain Courageous! Otamendi rose like a phoenix in the 84th minute, thundering a header home from Orkun Kökçü's corner to send the travelling Benfica faithful into raptures. Cue pandemonium!

The drama still wasn't done. Boca’s Jorge Figal lunged recklessly in the 88th minute, earning a third red card of the night. Breathless.

By the Numbers (The Wild Ones):

• Score: Boca Juniors 2 - 2 Benfica
• Goals: Merentiel (21’), Battaglia (27’) | Di María (45'+3 pen), Otamendi (84’)
• Cards Galore: 3 REDS (Herrera - Boca, Belotti - Benfica, Figal - Boca) & 8 yellows!
• Possession: Benfica edged it (60%), but stats barely tell this story.
• Crowd: 55,574 – mostly roaring for Boca, but everyone got their money's worth.

What’s Next?

• Boca Juniors: Face the mighty Bayern Munich right here in Miami on Friday. Gulp.
• Benfica: Head to Orlando looking for their first win against Auckland City.

Why This Game Mattered:

Forget the technical report – this was football at its most raw and emotional. Benfica showed incredible guts to claw back from 2-0 down and overcome a red card of their own. 

Otamendi, villain turned hero after winning the penalty, embodied their spirit. For Boca, blowing a two-goal lead with an extra man will sting, but becoming the first ever Argentine side to avoid defeat against a European team in this tournament is a silver lining. 

They fought like lions, even when down to nine at the end.This Group C opener had it all: skill, fury, controversy, and a comeback for the ages. 

It set the bar incredibly high for the rest of the tournament. Pure box office.