OneFootball
·20 June 2025
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·20 June 2025
Astonishment at the Club World Cup during the match between Benfica and Auckland, valid for the 2nd round of Group C.
If Benfica's dominance over the New Zealanders, who had lost 10-0 to Bayern Munich, was expected, it will be the behavior of Tong Zhou that remains among the images of this World Cup.
The 35-year-old Auckland midfielder, towards the end of the first half, was hit in the head by the ball, forcing the medical staff to intervene. The medical staff recommended a substitution, but the player refused. Yelling, an angry face, and a phrase repeated several times: "No change!".
The doctors tried to calm him down but without success, and the player stayed on the pitch.
Benfica closed the half with a penalty goal scored by Di Maria at 45'+8. The last moment before the interruption of the match, which resumed after more than two and a half hours at 9:00 PM, yet another delay at this Club World Cup.
Auckland then conceded another 5 goals in the second half: Pavlidis, Sanches, a brace from Barreiro, and another goal from Di Maria.
The referee suspended the match due to heavy rain accompanied by the risk of lightning on the field, so the stands were also evacuated. This is the 4th delay due to bad weather since the competition began.
Palmeiras-Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) had been interrupted for the same reason, resuming 48 minutes later.
Red Bull Salzburg-Pachuca at TQL Stadium (Cincinnati) was also temporarily suspended, while Mamelodi Sundowns vs Ulsan Hyundai (in Orlando) started with about an hour's delay.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
📸 Alex Grimm - 2025 Getty Images