S.L. Benfica will face Auckland City FC in a Group C fixture of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage today, Friday, June 20th, 2025. This match is being held at the Inter&Co Stadium (formerly Exploria Stadium) in Orlando, Florida, United States. Kick-off is at 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT local time in the US). For viewers in Kochi, Kerala, India, this translates to **9:30 PM IST on Friday, June 20th, 2025**.
Recent Form (Last 5 Competitive Matches)
Benfica: D-W-W-W-L (Overall: 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss – *Their last match was a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in the CWC opener*)
Auckland City: L-W-W-W-W (Overall: 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 1 Loss – *Their last match was a 10-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the CWC opener*)
Head-to-Head (All-Time)
This will be the **first-ever competitive meeting** between S.L. Benfica and Auckland City FC. They have never played each other in any official competition previously.
Team News
Benfica: The Portuguese giants kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors, coming from behind to secure a point. They will be looking for their first win in the tournament to boost their chances in a tough Group C. Andrea Belotti is suspended after receiving a red card in the opener. Key players like Nicolás Otamendi, Ángel Di María (who scored in the last match), and Orkun Kökçü are expected to lead the team. Alexander Bah and Manu Silva are long-term absentees.
Auckland City: The OFC Champions League winners had a very difficult start to their tournament, suffering a massive 10-0 defeat against Bayern Munich. They are the only amateur club in the competition and will face another European powerhouse. Despite the heavy loss, they are expected to stick with a similar lineup, hoping to show more resilience. Myer Bevan will be their main striker, and goalkeeper Conor Tracey will likely be very busy.
Predicted Lineups
Benfica (4-3-3): Trubin; Dahl, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Aursnes, Florentino Luís, Kökçü; Di María, Pavlidis, João Mário.
Auckland City (5-4-1): Tracey; Bell, Boxall, Mitchell, Lobo, Garriga; Den Heijer, Ilich, Manickum, Yoo; Bevan.
Match Facts
- This is a Group C match of the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
- Benfica qualified via UEFA’s ranking pathway.
- Auckland City qualified as the 2024 OFC Champions League winner.
- Group C also includes German giants Bayern Munich and Argentinian powerhouse Boca Juniors.
- Benfica drew their opening match 2-2 against Boca Juniors. Auckland City lost their opening match 10-0 to Bayern Munich.
- The Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, is one of the host venues for the tournament.
Score Prediction
Benfica will be strong favorites in this match. After a high-scoring draw, they will be eager to secure a comfortable victory to improve their goal difference and positioning in the group. Auckland City, despite their historic qualification, are significantly outmatched by professional European clubs, as evidenced by their previous result against Bayern. While they will aim to be more organized, Benfica’s quality and attacking depth should be overwhelming. Prediction: S.L. Benfica 6-0 Auckland City FC.
Where to Watch
The match starts at 9:30 PM IST today, Friday, June 20th, 2025. Here’s where you can watch:
- In the United Kingdom: DAZN (and DAZN website/app). All 63 matches are free to view on DAZN globally (excluding Belarus, Cuba, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria).
- In the United States: DAZN (Free on DAZN app), CBS Sports Golazo Network.
- In India: The match will be live-streamed on the **DAZN website** and the **FanCode app/website**. It is **not expected to be telecast on traditional TV channels** in India.
- Check your local listings for other broadcasters globally.
Free Ways to Watch
As mentioned, DAZN is broadcasting all 63 matches of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 **free to view globally** (with some territorial exceptions), requiring only an email address to register for a free account. Always ensure you are using legal and reliable sources for streaming.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
