First one’s in! Auckland City scores its first goal at the 2025 Club World Cup

The modest team from New Zealand equalized against Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors.

Details: Today, in Group C of the Club World Cup, humble Auckland City faced off against one of Argentina’s top clubs—Boca Juniors.

Despite a massive gap in quality and a 1-0 lead for the storied Boca, the New Zealand “workhorses” managed to net their first goal of the tournament, shifting their goals for and against from 0:17 to 1:17. The coveted goal of pride at the World Cup was scored by 29-year-old center-back Kristian Gray, with the assist coming from Jerson Lagos.

The team hadn’t achieved this feat since 2016, when the Kiwis lost 2-1 to Japan’s Kashima Antlers at the Club World Cup and hadn’t found the net in the competition since.

Currently, the match between Auckland City and Boca Juniors has been suspended due to weather conditions, with the score remaining level.

Reminder: Wild emotions! An Auckland City player didn’t want to leave the pitch