Auckland were perhaps fortunate not to lose by a heavier margin as Bayern peppered their goal with 31 attempts – including 17 on target – while enjoying 71% of possession.

The New Zealanders managed only one shot at Manuel Neuer's goal - Angus Kilkolly's low drive which was easily saved by the veteran goalkeeper.

The gaping chasm between the two sides on the pitch is mirrored off it…

Bayern are currently ranked sixth in Opta's Power Rankings - a global team ranking system - but Auckland are down in 5,074th, over 2,500 places below English National League side York City.

The next lowest-ranked team in the Club World Cup are UAE outfit Al Ain, who sit 625th.

While Bayern boast some of the biggest names in world football, Auckland's team includes a primary school teacher, an insurance broker, a barber, a sales representative at Coca-Cola, a car retailer, and several students.

Remarkably, Auckland left-back Nathan Lobo, 22, will have to sit a university exam from his hotel room during the competition.

Fifa's decision to expand the Club World Cup from seven to 32 teams this summer has already sparked legal complaints from players' union Fifpro and the World Leagues Association.

But the gulf in class between Bayern and Auckland on Sunday is likely to raise further questions about the new format of the competition.

Winners of the Oceania Champions League in each of the past four years, Auckland have made it to the tournament on that merit. Indeed, the New Zealanders are appearing in the competition for the 12th time – more than any other side.

However, whether they should be competing in the same group as a club of Bayern's stature is another matter.

In last year's Fifa Intercontinental Cup, which comprised six teams and effectively replaced the Club World Cup in 2024, Auckland were thumped 6-2 by Al Ain in the first round.

And in the final seven-team Club World Cup in 2023, they lost 3-0 to Saudi club Al-Ittihad in their only match.

"These games are so special for Auckland City," said former England midfielder Anita Asante, who was co-commentating on Sunday's game for Channel 5. "These guys are heroes to lots of budding football stars in New Zealand."

Fans following BBC Sport's live text coverage of the game were less enamoured by the Group C mismatch:

Was there any sympathy for the New Zealanders from their opponents?

Asked after the final whistle whether he felt for Auckland, France international Olise simply replied: "No."

Auckland qualified for the Club World Cup as the best OFC Champions League winners over the ranking period between 2021 and 2024.

They have dominated their continental competition in recent years, winning it 13 times since 2006.

They won four and drew one of their five games in the most recent edition of the tournament, scoring 13 goals and conceding just twice.

Reflecting on Sunday's defeat, Auckland's interim coach Ivan Vicelich said: "This [result] is the reality of football against one of the world's top teams.

"It's a dream for players coming from an amateur level to play in this environment. We knew it was going to be a very difficult game, playing against one of the top teams in the world - potentially one of the favourites - so we're just really proud of the players' efforts."

Bayern boss Vincent Kompany added: "We have to remain modest, but it was important to be able to say that we took the game seriously.

"It was a good first match at the tournament, but of course challengers are going to grow and it's going to become more difficult."

The Bundesliga champions take on Argentine giants Boca Juniors in their next Group C encounter on Friday local time in Miami (Saturday 02:00 BST).

"A traditional team from Europe against a traditional team from South America - even if I weren't Bayern coach, I'd have attended this game," said Kompany. "It will be special."