On Friday night, Bayern Munich booked their passage to the knock-out phase of the FIFA Club World Cup with a narrow, but deserved, 2-1 victory over top-tier Argentine side Boca Juniors at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Harry Kane gave Bayern the lead in the 18th minute with an instinctive finish from inside the box, but Boca equalized midway through the second half on the counter-attack. Michael Olise restored the lead late in the game from close range to secure the three points.
Despite the close scoreline, Bayern looked the superior team throughout the game. Let us look at three players who stood out for the German Champions in the continental clash.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane was closely marked over 90 minutes against Boca Juniors. However, he was arguably Bayern’s man of the match. Despite registering just 38 touches in the game, Kane not only scored the opening goal but also provided the assist for the winner.
With Boca heavily relying on physical play, the England captain was the most fouled player in the game. Even so, his concentration as the target-man never wavered, and his capacity to take the hard knocks was key to his side coming away with all three points. The 31-year-old striker also did well off the ball by winning six of eight contested ground duels.