Bayern Munich Smash Club World Cup Record with 10-0 Thrashing of Auckland
One of the most lopsided matchups in professional football history unfolded as part-time New Zealand club Auckland City faced German powerhouse Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup.
Historic Rout on the Pitch
Bayern Munich's 10-0 victory set a new Club World Cup record, with the German giants:
- Scoring within 5 minutes through Kingsley Coman
- Reaching 6-0 by halftime
- Registering 31 total shots (17 on target)
- Enjoying 71% possession
The match marked Bayern's first double-digit victory since their 12-0 cup winagainst Bremer SV in 2021, coming close to their club record 16-1 victory from 1997-98.
Staggering Off-Field Disparities
The gulf between the clubs extends far beyond the pitch:
| Metric | Auckland City | Bayern Munich |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue | NZ$1.1m (£488k) | €951.5m (£810m) |
| Player Salaries | NZ$150/week cap (£66) | Harry Kane: £400k/week |
| Squad Value | €4.58m (£3.9m) | €903.5m (£769m) |
| World Ranking | 5,074th | 6th |
Auckland's squad includes professionals from diverse backgrounds: a primary school teacher, insurance broker, barber, and even a student who must take university exams during the tournament.
Controversy Over Tournament Format
FIFA's expanded 32-team Club World Cup format has drawn criticism after this mismatch:
- Players' union Fifpro and World Leagues Association have filed legal complaints
- Fans questioned the sporting integrity of such lopsided matchups
- Despite being Oceania champions, Auckland lost their last three Club World Cup matches by a combined 19-2 scoreline
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany acknowledged: "We have to remain modest... challengers are going to grow and it's going to become more difficult."
What's Next?
Bayern face Argentine giants Boca Juniors in their next Group C match, while Auckland's players return to their day jobs - having earned £2.6m in prize money for their participation.
