Chelsea secured their spot in the Club World Cup quarter-finals by defeating Benfica 4-1 in a match that was highlighted by unusual weather interruptions and a dramatic finish. The game initially kicked off at 4 PM ET but was interrupted due to severe weather warnings, lasting nearly two hours before resuming. Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca expressed dissatisfaction with the delays, calling them “a joke.”
The match saw Chelsea take an early lead through Reece James in the 64th minute. However, as the match neared its conclusion, Benfica was awarded a controversial penalty in stoppage time after a VAR review, which Angel Di Maria converted to equalize. The game headed into extra time following a 1-1 draw.
During extra time, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was sent off, which shifted momentum in Chelsea’s favor. Christopher Nkunku scored a crucial goal after capitalizing on a defensive error, followed by two additional goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, sealing a decisive win for Chelsea.
This victory not only advances Chelsea to face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals but also enhances their financial standing with an additional $13.7 million in prize money, bringing their total earnings in the tournament to approximately $54 million.
The susceptibility to weather delays has sparked discussions about potential similar interruptions in next year’s World Cup. Experts highlight that storms are common in the U.S. during this time of year, particularly across the central and eastern regions, indicating that teams may need to prepare for such eventualities.
Chelsea will face Palmeiras on July 4th at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting quarter-final match. Chelsea’s performance and adaptation to adversity in this match can serve as a motivational example as they move forward in the tournament. The absence of midfielder Moises Caicedo, who received a yellow card that rules him out for the upcoming match, will present a challenge, but the team is expected to rise to the occasion with strong tactics and strategy.
Overall, Chelsea’s ability to secure a win through determination and resilience amid challenges is a positive aspect as they push deeper into the tournament.