Bayern Munich delivered a devastating performance on Sunday, thrashing part-time side Auckland City 10-0 in their Club World Cup Group C opener, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament’s history.
The clash in Cincinnati, part of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup format, was barely a contest, with Auckland’s semi-professional squad unable to cope with the firepower of the Bundesliga champions.
Jamal Musiala, introduced in the second half, helped himself to a hat-trick, adding the final flourish to a display that underlined Bayern’s status as firm tournament favourites.
Jonathan Tah made an instant impact on his Bayern debut, rising to meet a corner in the sixth minute and guiding it back across goal for Kingsley Coman to head home with ease.
What followed was a flurry of goals in quick succession. Coman turned provider shortly after, flicking on a header for Sacha Boey to smash in.
Michael Olise added the third, calmly finishing after Harry Kane missed a connection on Thomas Müller’s delivery.
Coman struck again with a low drive into the corner, and Olise then assisted Müller, who volleyed in before capping off the first-half destruction with a curling strike just before the break.
Harry Kane was taken off around the hour mark without finding the net, having missed a close-range header. Musiala, his replacement, made sure to take his chances.
He rifled in a stunning strike from outside the box, converted a penalty he had earned himself, and then sealed his treble by capitalizing on a poor pass from Auckland goalkeeper Conor Tracey.
As the clock wound down, Müller added a landmark goal, his 250th for Bayern,in what could be his final appearance for the club, with his departure looming after the tournament.
For manager Vincent Kompany, the manner of the victory was undoubtedly satisfying.
Bayern’s dominance was reflected in the numbers: 31 shots, a staggering expected goals (xG) of 4.33, and 10 goals to show for it, well above the statistical average.
Auckland, by contrast, mustered just one attempt, comfortably handled by Manuel Neuer, with an xG of only 0.03.
Bayern’s historic win breaks the previous Club World Cup record for the biggest win, eclipsing Al-Hilal’s 6-1 demolition of Al Jazira in 2021.
Despite having made more Club World Cup appearances (12) than any other team under the old format, Auckland City’s struggles on the global stage continue.
Their record now includes 13 losses in 19 matches, and Sunday’s humbling showed the stark contrast between Oceania’s finest and one of Europe’s superpowers.