New York, June 25 (UNI) Benfica secured top spot in Group C at the FIFA Club World Cup with
a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, as Chelsea advanced from Group D and Auckland City stunned
Boca Juniors with a 1-1 draw.
Flamengo, already assured of a place in the last 16, drew 1-1 with Los Angeles FC in Orlando.
In Charlotte, an early goal from Norway international forward Andreas Schjelderup inflicted Bayern's first blemish of the tournament. Schjelderup timed his run to perfection to sweep home a first-time effort from 12 yards after compatriot Fredrik Aursnes crossed from the right wing.
Bayern enjoyed almost three quarters of the total possession but rarely threatened against a disciplined and compact Benfica defense. The result left the Lisbon-based club a point ahead
of the Bundesliga champions, who also advanced to the tournament's next stage.
"I think this was a very fair and important win, historic really," Benfica manager Bruno Lage said.
"We were as straightforward and assertive as we should be and I think we were very effective in delivering our strategy."
Benfica will meet Chelsea in Charlotte on Saturday while Bayern Munich faces Flamengo in Miami the next day.
In Nashville, Christian Gray struck a second-half equalizer as Auckland City clinched its first point
of the tournament against Boca Juniors.
The Argentine outfit went ahead when Lautaro Di Lollo's header from a corner hit the left post before ricochetting in off goalkeeper Nathan Garrow. But Gray equalized by latching onto a Jerson Lagos corner with a low header beyond Agustin Marchesin.
Garrow repeatedly denied Boca with a series of sharp saves as the semi-professional team from New Zealand bowed out on an encouraging note.
Boca finished third in Group C, joining fourth-placed Auckland City in exiting the competition. "I'm from a small town, a long way from here and a lot different to this environment. So it is somewhat
of a dream," Gray said after the match, explaining that he would go back to his job as a school teacher upon returning to New Zealand.
"We've had some tough results, but I'm just happy for the team and the boys. I think we deserve it," the 28 year-old added.
In Philadelphia, Chelsea secured its passage to the knockout phase with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia's Esperance in Group D. Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a looping header into the far corner after Enzo Fernandez's floating free-kick.
Argentina international midfielder Fernandez was again the provider as his lofted pass released Liam Delap, who shook off two defenders before calmly slotting a low finish past goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.
The Premier League side made it 3-0 in second-half stoppage time when Tyrique George's long-range shot slipped through Ben Said's gloves and rolled into the back of the net.
The result meant Chelsea finished second in Group D with six points, three ahead of the eliminated Esperance.
In Wednesday's other fixture, a late Wallace Yan strike earned Flamengo a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in Orlando.
Denis Bouanga broke the deadlock against the run of play when he ran onto Timothy Tillman's
long free-kick before nutmegging goalkeeper Agustin Rossi with a composed finish. Wallace
leveled two minutes later for the Brazilian club as he bulldozed his way into the box after
Jorginho's pass and lashed low past Hugo Lloris.
Despite the result, Flamengo topped Group D with seven points while Los Angeles - which entered the match without hope of progressing - finished last, six points further back.
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