Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane 'loving' Club World Cup after Boca thriller

Kane opened the scoring in Bayern's 2-1 win at a packed Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a result that secured the German champions a place in the knockout rounds. The electric environment, fueled largely by thousands of passionate Boca Juniors fans, left a lasting impression on the striker.

"I expected them to be loud, but it was an incredible atmosphere to be honest - one of the best I've played in," Kane said post-match. "Credit to Boca's fans, and also to our supporters. It was a special night. They won't go home happy, but it was a great game."

The match was played in front of a vocal, largely South American crowd, with Boca fans making headlines even before kickoff - gathering on Miami beaches and filling local supermarkets with chants. Their presence reflected the growing intensity of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, being held in the United States for the first time.

Bayern's victory came after shock results earlier in the week, with South American clubs upstaging their European counterparts: Botafogo defeated Paris Saint-Germain, and Flamengo got the better of Chelsea.

Despite the criticism FIFA's new 32-team format has received, Kane offered a strong defense of the tournament's value.

"I think it's great to experience different styles of football," he said. "You've already seen the South American teams give the European teams real problems. It shows how global football is now - the quality is everywhere. I'm loving this tournament so far and I hope we're in it for a while."

With soaring summer temperatures across the U.S., some teams have expressed concern over player fatigue. Borussia Dortmund, for instance, plan to rotate heavily for their upcoming fixture due to the expected heat in Cincinnati. However, Kane was unfazed.

"I'm not concerned," he said. "It's part of football - you adapt. Playing in these conditions is great prep, especially for those of us looking ahead to next year's World Cup. When you leave everything out there, when you come off dripping in sweat after giving everything - there's a real sense of satisfaction, especially when you win."

Looking ahead, Kane also addressed the broader significance of the Club World Cup.

"This is the first time under the new format, so there's natural skepticism," he admitted. "But if this continues - the best teams in the world, every four years - it's going to grow into a very prestigious tournament."

Bayern Munich face Benfica in their final group stage fixture on Tuesday as they look to maintain momentum heading into the knockout phase.