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Amateur Auckland City Holds Boca Juniors to 1-1 Draw in Club World Cup

A five-man defence supported by crucial saves from Nathan Garrow rescued a point for the New Zealand side following an own goal

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group C - Auckland City v Boca Juniors - Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - June 24, 2025 Auckland City's Jerson Lagos and teammates celebrate after the match REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group C - Auckland City v Boca Juniors - Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - June 24, 2025 Auckland City's Jerson Lagos and Nathan Garrow celebrate after the match REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group C - Auckland City v Boca Juniors - Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - June 24, 2025 Auckland City's Nathan Garrow, Jerson Lagos and teammates celebrate after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Steve Roberts
Auckland City defender Christian Gray (right) celebrates scoring his team's first goal at the Club World Cup against Boca Juniors

Overview

  • Auckland City, the only non-professional club in the tournament, earned its best Club World Cup result at Geodis Park on June 24.
  • Boca Juniors took the lead in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Nathan Garrow inadvertently palmed a Lautaro Di Lollo header into his own net.
  • Christian Gray restored parity early in the second half by heading home a corner from Jerson Lagos.
  • Play was suspended for around 50 minutes due to a weather warning, but Auckland’s back five repelled sustained pressure after the restart.
  • Boca finished Group C without a win and were eliminated when Benfica defeated Bayern Munich in the concurrent match.