Boca Juniors fans deliver the loudest, most passionate support at Club World Cup
MIAMI :In just two games, Boca Juniors have taken Hard Rock Stadium by storm, turning it into their own 'Bombonera' outpost. They filled it with a passion unmatched at this Club World Cup, leaving opposing fans, pundits, and even Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany visibly impressed.
The Boca fans made for most of the 55,574 spectators in their team's game against Benfica and were also the immense majority of the 63,587 supporters in Friday's 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Soccer's governing body FIFA has been heavily criticised for an alleged lack of interest for the 32-team tournament in the United States.
While some matches are played in front of half empty stadiums, the presence of South American fans has been crucial for the Club World Cup.
KEY QUOTES:
Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo:
"The fans were amazing — but there's nothing new about that. Of course it hurts to lose, but our people are just incredible. Boca is about working together: team and fans. That's who we are.
"Argentine football is special. It's a unique history. People here are passionate, intense. Our supporters have backed this team through everything, and we have to be up to the challenge."
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany:
"I've had a long career and experienced a lot. There are times I want to be a player and tonight was one of those times. The crowd was hostile in the best possible way, and the game full of aggression in a good way. That's what I love about football.
"We played against a big club with a fanbase that most fans would pay to watch."
KEY NUMBERS: 60,626 - The average attendance at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in four Club World Cup matches. The best attendance was on Friday with 63,587 supporters in the stands.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Inter Milan strike late to beat Urawa Reds at Club World Cup
SEATTLE - Valentin Carboni struck the winning goal in stoppage time as Inter Milan came from behind to beat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 on June 21 and knock the Japanese team out of the Club World Cup. Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa Reds, who were backed by a noisy contingent of their supporters at Lumen Field in Seattle. But captain Lautaro Martinez had got Inter's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey of Mexico in their first match at the tournament, and he repeated the trick to level matters here with 12 minutes to go. Carboni, the 20-year-old Argentine who had not made an appearance for Inter in more than two years, then appeared in the 92nd minute to give the Italians the victory. The result leaves Cristian Chivu's team in a good position to now go and qualify for the last 16, while a second defeat in as many matches means Urawa Reds are eliminated. Winners of the Asian Champions League in 2023, Urawa Reds were aiming to bounce back from a 3-1 loss against River Plate in their opening game and they went in front in the 11th minute. Takuro Kaneko made the goal with a good run down the right before his low cross was swept home first-time by Watanabe. Martinez hit the crossbar from a header for Inter soon after, and it looked as if the Uefa Champions League runners-up might slip to a shock defeat when Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed the target from a good position in the second half. But they got the leveller in the 78th minute when a Nicolo Barella corner from the left was deftly turned in by Martinez, who scored with an overhead kick as he fell back the way. The stage was then set for Carboni, who had not played a competitive game since early October after suffering a serious knee injury while on loan at Marseille. He was on hand to sidefoot into the net after a Petar Sucic shot hit teammate Francesco Esposito and ball broke to Carboni inside the area. AFP Inter Milan's Valentin Carboni scores their second, winning goal. PHOTO: REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Dortmund feel the heat but still win
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Mamelodi Sundowns v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. - June 21, 2025 General view of Borussia Dortmund substitutes holding umbrellas to get shade from the sunshine as coach Niko Kovac looks on REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach CINCINNATI, Ohio - Playing in midday heat proved a taxing ordeal for Germany's Borussia Dortmund, who had to hold on tenaciously to secure a 4-3 victory over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday. Temperatures over 30 degree Celsius in the United States have sapped the players' energy and there was a sense of relief for the Bundesliga side as they came through a tough physical test. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT European sides have had a difficult few days at the Club World Cup with defeats for Champions League winners Paris St Germain and Chelsea, so it was important for Borussia Dortmund to get their first win in Group F. KEY QUOTES Dortmund coach Niko Kovac: "We had a hard battle against the heat and an opponent who could handle the conditions better. This is a tournament that we want to compete in and try to win a World Cup title but the conditions are very hard for all for the teams." Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso: "I think it was clear that we pushed the level of the game to the maximum and that we were able to pay an open game against such a strong opponent. I'm very proud of the resilience that we showed." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
Dortmund feel the heat but still win
CINCINNATI, Ohio :Playing in midday heat proved a taxing ordeal for Germany's Borussia Dortmund, who had to hold on tenaciously to secure a 4-3 victory over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday. Temperatures over 30 degree Celsius in the United States have sapped the players' energy and there was a sense of relief for the Bundesliga side as they came through a tough physical test. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT European sides have had a difficult few days at the Club World Cup with defeats for Champions League winners Paris St Germain and Chelsea, so it was important for Borussia Dortmund to get their first win in Group F. KEY QUOTES Dortmund coach Niko Kovac: "We had a hard battle against the heat and an opponent who could handle the conditions better. This is a tournament that we want to compete in and try to win a World Cup title but the conditions are very hard for all for the teams." Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso: "I think it was clear that we pushed the level of the game to the maximum and that we were able to pay an open game against such a strong opponent. I'm very proud of the resilience that we showed."
