Two players in white and red uniforms argue on the field while one of them appears in a box making a hand gesture in front of his mouth.
Otamendi's message about Álvaro Carreras's possible departure | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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A Benfica player's response about whether Carreras will go to Real Madrid: 'He is...'

Álvaro Carreras made his debut with Benfica in the Club World Cup in a draw against Boca Juniors

by

Sergio Iglesias

Boca Juniors and SL Benfica played the best match of the Club World Cup. With a final 2-2 draw, both teams played a match full of tension, intensity, and goals. 

Everyone considered SL Benfica the favorite, but Boca Juniors took the lead with two goals in 27 minutes. Miguel Merentiel scored the first for the Argentinians with a great shot inside the box, and Battaglia extended the lead with a header. 

However, Ángel Di María managed to close the gap before halftime with a very well-taken penalty. By then, the Spaniard Ander Herrera had already been sent off from the bench for confronting a security staff member. The midfielder, who had started the match, had to leave the field due to a muscle problem in the 20th minute.

Nicolás Otamendi silenced Boca Juniors's stands

SL Benfica pushed forward in the second half, but the equalizer didn't come. The match became very tough for the Portuguese side after Andrea Belotti was sent off with a red card for kicking a Boca player in the head. 

Soccer player in Benfica’s white and red uniform celebrating a goal by bringing his fist to his mouth in a stadium
Nicolás Otamendi scored the equalizing goal against Boca Juniors | Real Madrid Confidencial

As the minutes passed, the clash grew in tension and intensity. In the 84th minute, Nicolás Otamendi, with an unstoppable header, scored the final 2-2 equalizer. The Argentine defender, a well-known River Plate fan, turned to Boca Juniors's stands after the goal.

Finally, the Mexican referee ended up sending off Nicolás Figal for a late kick on a Benfica footballer. 

Nicolás Otamendi's words about Álvaro Carreras

After the match, Nicolás Otamendi spoke to the media. The journalists, taking advantage of Álvaro Carreras's presence on the field, asked the Argentine about his teammate.

"Álvaro is a very humble and very hard-working guy. I think if he's given the opportunity, which will depend on him," he began. "He's very focused on Benfica at the moment, competing in a tournament every player wants to play in, then he'll decide his future," he added later.

A soccer referee holds a whistle while a player in a white and red uniform gestures with his hand, arguing during a match.
Álvaro Carreras played the full 90 minutes against Boca Juniors | Real Madrid Confidencial

However, Nicolás Otamendi left a remark that caught the attention of all Madridists. "We're very happy with him and Álvaro is very happy to be at Benfica... it was a huge pleasure," he said.

At that moment, the Argentine chose to correct his final remark and changed it to "It still is a huge pleasure."

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