Bayern Munich booked their place in the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup by edging Argentina's Boca Juniors 2-1 at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a clinical left-footed strike after Boca failed to clear a dangerous cross. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka controlled the midfield, stretching Boca's defence early on.
An 8th-minute corner from Michael Olise drifted into the net but was ruled out by VAR when Serge Gnabry was judged to have blocked Boca goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin. Ten minutes later, Kane pounced on a loose ball and fired into the bottom corner.
Boca Juniors pushed back after halftime, and Miguel Merentiel leveled in the 66th minute with a composed finish past Manuel Neuer, extending South American clubs' unbeaten run in the tournament.
The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. Kane won back possession and laid off to Olise, who controlled superbly and slotted home to seal the win and quiet the 63,000-strong crowd.
'It was a huge effort from the lads,' Kane said. 'We knew it wouldn't be easy – playing in hostile heat. Once they scored, though, we shifted the momentum back.'
'This team has character. Now we focus on the next challenge,' coach Vincent Kompany added.
Reference(s):
Bayern Munich edge Boca Juniors 2-1 to reach Club World Cup knockouts
cgtn.com
