p>What critics feared most about the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has come true — a complete mismatch on the world stage. Bayern Munich turned their opening match against Auckland City into a goal fest, dismantling the semi-professional New Zealand side 10-0 in a performance that raises serious questions about the current qualification format for a tournament billed as a “world championship.”

There’s little point in dissecting the tactical aspects — it was one-way traffic from the first whistle. Auckland City, composed of part-timers who had to take unpaid leave from day jobs to participate, spent much of the game camped inside their own penalty area. In the first 20 minutes alone, Bayern were already scoring at will, converting nearly every attacking sequence into a goal.

Thomas Müller, playing in what is expected to be his final tournament with Bayern, netted twice with elegant volleys. Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala both curled in stunning finishes from range, while Kingsley Coman glided through the defense with ease, showcasing the vast gulf in class. Bayern even punished Auckland’s short goal-kicks, pressing high and forcing turnovers that led to repeated restarts — from the center circle.

The final scoreline — 10-0 — now stands as the highest-ever margin of victory in the modern iteration of the FIFA Club World Cup. The only remaining intrigue? Whether Boca Juniors or Benfica, who will also face the Kiwis in group play, can beat Bayern’s new record.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Bayern - Auckland City 10:0 (6:0)
Goals: Coman, 6 (1:0); Boey, 18 (2:0); Olise, 20 (3:0); Coman, 21 (4:0); Muller, 45 (5:0); Olise, 45 (6:0); Musiala, 67 (7:0); Musiala, 73 (penalty) (8:0); Musiala, 84 (9:0); Muller, 89 (10:0)

Bayern: Neuer; Boey; Guerreiro (Upamecano, 61); Stanisic (Aznou, 82); Tah J.; Kimmich; Coman (Gnabry, 46); Muller; Olise (Karl, 46); Pavlovic Al.; Kane (Musiala, 61)
Bench: Peretz Da.; Urbig; Santos; Bischof T.; Goretzka; Laimer; Palhinha; Sane L.; Krattenmacher; Kusi-Asare

Auckland City: Tracey; Boxall; den Heijer (Rogers, 82); Lobo (Lagos, 66); Mitchell; Murati; Ilich; Garriga (Zhou, 66); Manickum (Kilkolly, 71); Yoo (De Vries, 71); Bevan
Bench: Garrow; Ciganda; Bell; Gray; Connolly; Vale; Manuel; Zeb; Lee; Ellis