Chelsea Secures Quarter-Final Spot In Club World Cup With 4-1 Win Over Benfica Despite Weather Delay

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Chelsea secured a spot in the Club World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win against Benfica, despite a two-hour weather delay in Charlotte. Reece James' free-kick in the 64th minute seemed to seal the victory for Chelsea at the Bank of America Stadium. However, Angel Di Maria's penalty during stoppage time forced extra-time.

The match experienced a significant interruption due to adverse weather conditions, halting play for two hours in the 86th minute. Once resumed, Benfica equalised through Di Maria's penalty after Malo Gusto was penalised for handball following a VAR review. This unexpected turn of events pushed the game into extra-time.

Chelsea regained control when Gianluca Prestianni received a second yellow card shortly after extra-time began. Christopher Nkunku capitalised on this advantage by scoring in the 108th minute. Chelsea then extended their lead with goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, securing their place in the next round against Palmeiras.

Reece James broke the deadlock with a clever free-kick that caught goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin off guard. The Blues captain aimed directly at the near post, surprising everyone who anticipated a cross. This goal initially put Chelsea ahead before the dramatic events unfolded later.

Despite Chelsea's triumph, Moisés Caicedo's yellow card could impact their future matches. Caicedo excelled with 116 completed passes, 144 touches, and 20 final third entries. His presence has been crucial since joining Chelsea in 2023, as they have struggled without him in previous Premier League games.

Upcoming Challenges and Reflections

Chelsea now faces Palmeiras in the quarter-finals after Palmeiras defeated Botafogo 1-0 in extra-time. The team will need to address any potential weaknesses exposed during this match to ensure further success in the tournament.

A long night, which ended in triumph. pic.twitter.com/cWjhRAd4c8 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025

The victory over Benfica highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement within Chelsea's squad. As they prepare for their next challenge against Palmeiras, maintaining focus and discipline will be key to advancing further in the competition.