The extreme heat in the United States also had an impact on the Club World Cup in the United States on Tuesday. During Benfica-Bayern Munich, a Benfica player became dizzy due to the heat. Bayern kept his reserves inside.
Temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius were measured during the match in Charlotte. The feels like temperature was even above 40 degrees Celsius, but that was not a reason for FIFA, the referees and the teams to stop.
It quickly became clear in the first half what the consequences could be of playing in the extreme heat. Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni suddenly lay down on the ground and felt his forehead. His club’s medical staff then took all kinds of measures to cool him down.
Prestianni was given a bag of ice cubes on his neck, took an energy gel and poured a bottle of cold water over his head. It turned out to be enough to continue, but the attacker was still taken off shortly after half-time.
The reserves of Bayern Munich, including Joshua Kimmich and Harry Kane, saw all that happen from the dressing room. Bayern kept the substitutes inside so as not to expose them to the heat. Borussia Dortmund had already done that on Sunday.
Extreme heat has been a concern at the World Cup for some time
The extreme heat in the United States has been a concern at the World Cup for some time. Earlier, Atlético player Marcos Llorente said that his fingers hurt because of the heat. PSG coach Luis Enrique said that the high temperatures made it “impossible” to play a match at a high level.
The European clubs play at the hottest time of the day in the US, because that is better for the broadcasting schedule in Europe. Even after all the complaints, FIFA is not deviating from that policy. Next year, the World Cup will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico during the same period.
Despite the heat, Bayern and Benfica ‘just’ finished the match. Bayern surprisingly lost the match 0-1 due to an early goal from Andreas Schjelderup. That had no major consequences for ‘Der Rekordmeister’. Bayern was already assured of a place in the eighth finals.
Due to the defeat, Bayern had to leave the group win to Benfica. As a result, trainer Vincent Kompany’s team will play against the Brazilian club Flamengo in the last sixteen. Benfica is likely to face Chelsea.
Auckland City-Boca Juniors was stopped in the second half due to the weather, but that was because there was a thunderstorm approaching in play city Nashville. At that moment it was 1-1. The semi-professionals from New Zealand equalized against the Argentinian top club just after half-time.