Boca Juniors, Benfica draw 2-2 in hot-tempered match

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida:

Benfica overcame a two-goal deficit, getting Angel Di Maria's penalty kick in first-half stoppage time and Nicolas Otamendi's 84th-minute goal for a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors last night in a heated Club World Cup match that included three red cards, four yellow cards and 21 fouls.

Boca Juniors played in a home-like environment with the Argentine club's supporters making up most of the 55,574 crowd at Hard Rock Stadium against one of Portugal's premier teams. Both teams finished a man down and one Boca player was sent off after he was substituted from the match due to injury.

Heavily armed police were present at checkpoints to ensure order for a Boca supporters' group that is extremely fierce and passionate. But, most of the rough action was on the field, not in the stands, as the game included red cards for Boca's Ander Herrera in the 44th, Benfica's Andrea Belotti in the 72nd and Boca's Nicolas Figal in the 88th.

Boca built their lead on goals by Miguel Merentiel in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Battaglia in the 27th.

Referee Cesar Ramos awarded the penalty after a video review for Carlos Palacios' kneeing on Otamendi. Herrera, who was taken out after 20 minutes, got a red card for protesting the decision.

Belotti was sent off for a foul when a high kick caught Ayrton Costa on the back of the head and Figal for knocking over Florentino.

- AP