Auckland City managed to keep Harry Kane quiet, but that was little consolation as Bayern Munich tore them apart in a ruthless 10-0 thrashing in Cincinnati during the opening match of their Club World Cup campaign.
The match exposed the gulf in quality between Europe’s elite and the part-time New Zealanders, as the German champions unleashed a relentless offensive barrage. Bayern registered a staggering 31 shots, 17 of which were on target, while Auckland could only muster a single effort throughout the entire match. Possession was similarly lopsided, with the Bundesliga giants enjoying 72% of the ball.
The scale of the defeat underscores the challenge of balancing global representation with competitive integrity in an expanded 32-team tournament. Auckland City, regular participants in the previous versions of the Club World Cup, have long flown the flag for Oceania. However, they are not even New Zealand’s top professional side. That distinction belongs to Auckland FC, who play in Australia’s A-League. Auckland City, by contrast, are a semi-professional club whose players juggle football with day jobs.
Despite the scoreline, Auckland’s coach found reason to praise his squad. Several players had to take time off work to participate, and their commitment and work ethic did not go unnoticed. While clearly outmatched, the players gave their all against one of the world’s most formidable club sides.
Bayern’s scoring spree was led by Jamal Musiala, who netted a second-half hat-trick. Thomas Müller, Michael Olise, and Kingsley Coman each scored twice, while Sacha Boey also got on the scoresheet. The goals came in waves, overwhelming Auckland’s defensive structure and leaving their goalkeeper helpless on numerous occasions.
In terms of Club World Cup history, this rout was record-setting. The largest previous margin of victory in the tournament had been 6-1. To see a team hit double figures only two matches into the restructured competition suggests that the talent gap remains wide despite efforts to globalize the tournament.
Adding to the spectacle, a group of fans unfurled a banner critical of FIFA’s governance, referencing past corruption scandals and calling for reform. It was a reminder that skepticism still surrounds the organization and its ambitious reworking of global competitions.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for Auckland City, who next face Benfica, another powerhouse from Europe. Bayern’s next challenge will come against Boca Juniors, a storied Argentine club that promises to provide a far sterner test. Their manager described the upcoming fixture as the highlight of the group stage a true clash between two continental giants that transcends the tournament’s format.
