Boca Juniors Stars Voice Frustration Over Controversial Penalty Against Benfica

Club World Cup Dramatic Opening Match

In a dramatic opening match at the Club World Cup held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Boca Juniors players Agustín Marchesín and Miguel Merentiel expressed their dissatisfaction with the officiating, particularly the controversial penalty awarded to Benfica, which shifted the game’s momentum. Boca Juniors initially dominated the first half, taking a commanding 2-0 lead with goals from Merentiel and teammate Rodrigo Battaglia. However, their advantage was undermined when the referee, César Ramos, pointed to the penalty spot after a foul was called in the box just before halftime. Ángel Di María converted the penalty, pulling Benfica back into contention.

Controversial Penalty Decision

Marchesín, reflecting on the contentious decision, remarked,

“I don’t know what the referee saw. I’ve known him for a long time, and while I wasn’t surprised at his call, I don’t think it was a penalty. To award that in such a crucial game feels shameful, but we have to accept it and move on—it’s part of football.”

Merentiel added that the decision impacted their performance, saying,

“The penalty somewhat disrupted the match. From my perspective, it didn’t appear to be a penalty at all. However, that’s the referee’s decision, and we have to respect it in the moment.”

Second Half Tensions

Tensions escalated further in the second half, resulting in both teams seeing players Andrea Belotti of Benfica and Jorge Figal of Boca Juniors issued red cards.

Fan Atmosphere

On the sidelines, the atmosphere was electric with a crowd of 55,274, a significant number of whom were Boca Juniors supporters, creating a vibrant display of yellow and blue that brought the spirit of their home stadium, La Bombonera, to Miami.

Player Reflections

Di María acknowledged the intensity brought by the Argentine fans, saying,

“I understand the pressure in Argentine football. We played hard and tried our best. Although we didn’t achieve the result we wanted, we kept fighting. I felt the love from the fans, but it’s normal to face some hostility too; that’s just part of the game. When I wear another jersey, I have to expect those reactions.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Boca Juniors is set to return to the pitch on June 20, where they will face Bayern Munich in their next group stage encounter at the same venue.