Dylan Manickum of Auckland City FC, FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025, Auckland City FC v Boca Juniors, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tuesday 24 June 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Photosport
After being humiliated in their first two FIFA Club World Cup games, New Zealand's representative team has produced a result for the ages, drawing 1-1 with South American giants Boca Juniors.
Christian Gray, who spends his workdays as teacher at Auckland Grammar, struck in the 52nd minute. The 28-year-old climbed high to connect with Jerson Lagos' perfect corner kick, heading home and stunning the 35-time Argentine champions at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
Auckland City's New Zealander defender Christian Gray (L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal next to Boca Juniors' Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani in Nashville. Photo: AFP / Federico Parra
That wasn't the only drama, as shortly after the match was delayed for half an hour due to torrential rain and lightning strikes. When play finally resumed, Boca looked to had taken the lead through Miguel Merentiel, only to be denied when VAR spotted a handball by Kevin Zenón.
Earlier, it looked like the match was progressing according to virtually all predictions when Boca took the lead through an own goal when a cross by Lautaro Di Lollo unluckily ricocheted off goalkeeper Nathan Garrow and into the goal.
Boca came into the game having drawn against Portuguese club Benfica and lost against Bayern Munich and would've felt confident of a big win against the unfancied Aucklanders. They required a 7-0 win to overturn Benfica's goal difference advantage, and given Auckland City had conceded 16 goals in their two games, it was certainly on the cards.
Boca Juniors' Argentine defender #40 Lautaro Di Lollo, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group C football match in Nashville. Photo: AFP / Federico Parra
However, thanks to Gray's heroics and some incredibly committed defence, Auckland City managed to pull off a result that will reverberate strongly around the football world. Already in the spotlight thanks to their 10-0 opening loss to Bayern, Auckland City's very presence was casting some serious doubt over the already somewhat flimsy legitimacy of the tournament.
So therefore it was fitting that FIFA President Gianni Infantino was on hand to witness the heroics, with the result certain to be highlighted by the game's powerful global governing body to justify the exorbitant amount of money they have spent on the Club World Cup.
This ends the campaigns for both Auckland City FC and Boca Juniors, with Bayern and Benfica progressing from their group to the next round. It is highly likely that the reception when Gray and his side return home will be a much happier one now after a day to remember.
Gray said it was a huge result for the part-time club.
"It's been a tough trip you know we've had some tough results but just happy for the team and the boys, I think we deserve it, we got a little bit of respect back I hope," Gray said.
The defender said it meant a lot for the club.
"We rely on volunteers, we don't have a lot of money so I'm just happy that they're happy I think the club deserves it and I'm happy for the boys. It's been a long four years to be honest building up to this so I think we got what we deserve."
Gray said it was back to reality soon at Mt Roskill Intermediate School.
"I've got a few assignments that have piled up over the last month so that's what I'll be going back to and the school holidays thankfully. I'm from a small town a long way from here, a lot different to this environment, it is somewhat of a dream so a little bit lost for words."
See how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
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