Three reds, 21 fouls, four goals in Boca-Benfica draw

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP):

BENFICA OVERCAME a two-goal deficit, using Ángel Di María’s penalty kick in first-half stoppage time and Nicolás Otamendi’s 84th-minute goal to squeeze a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors last night in a heated Club World Cup match that included three red cards, four yellows, and 21 fouls.

Boca Juniors played in a home-like environment, with the Argentine club’s supporters making up most of the 55,574 crowd at Hard Rock Stadium against one of Portugal’s premier teams. Both teams finished a man down, and one Boca player was sent off after he was substituted from the match due to injury.

Heavily armed police were present at checkpoints to ensure order for a Boca supporters’ group that is extremely fierce and passionate. But, most of the rough action was on the field, not in the stands, as the game included red cards for Boca’s Ander Herrera in the 44th, Benfica’s Andrea Belotti in the 72nd, and Boca’s Nicolás Figal in the 88th.

Boca built their lead on goals by Miguel Merentiel in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Battaglia in the 27th.

Referee César Ramos awarded the penalty after a video review for Carlos Palacios’ kneeing Otamendi. Herrera, who was taken out after 20 minutes, got a red card for protesting the decision.

Belotti was sent off for a foul when a high kick caught Ayrton Costa on the back of the head, and Figal for knocking over Florentino.

Otamendi’s front post header helped Benfica salvage a point.

Boca Juniors, after underperforming last season in the Argentina first division and disappointing in the Copa Libertadores, used the support of their fans to fuel them and earn a point in group play. Their second match, against Bayern Munich in Miami on Friday night, will prove to be a more challenging game.

Benfica, who were imprecise in its play and gave the ball away many times unprovoked, will play on Friday as well and take on the only semi-professional team in the Club World Cup, Auckland City, who were badly beaten by Bayern.

“This was a game where there’s two really big teams and they’re gonna leave it all out there on every ball,” said Alan Velasco, Boca Juniors midfielder.

“It will be a new experience (playing against Auckland City FC). Of course, we saw the result against Bayern and we will have to do the same,” said Samuel Dahl, Benfica defender.