Chelsea STORM Past Benfica To Advance To Quarter-Finals | FIFA Club World Cup Highlights

Chelsea’s progression to the Club World Cup quarter-finals was a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and sheer determination, as they secured a dramatic extra-time victory over Benfica in a match that will long be remembered for its extraordinary circumstances. The encounter, played out at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, was marred by a two-hour weather delay caused by lightning, which forced both teams and a sparsely populated crowd to endure an arduous wait before the contest could resume. The final scoreline, a commanding triumph for Chelsea, belied the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the match, which stretched over four and a half hours from kick-off to the final whistle. This victory, punctuated by moments of brilliance, controversy, and late-game heroics, showcased Chelsea’s ability to navigate adversity and seize control when it mattered most, setting up a tantalizing quarter-final clash against Palmeiras on Saturday. The match began with Chelsea asserting their dominance early on, as Enzo Maresca’s side controlled possession and created a flurry of scoring opportunities. Reece James, ever the creative force from the right flank, broke the deadlock with a moment of ingenuity that highlighted his growing importance to the team. In the 65th minute, James lined up for a free-kick from a wide-left position, spotting Benfica’s goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, slightly out of position. With a deft touch, James curled the ball over the defensive wall and into the net, sending the Chelsea faithful into raptures. The goal was a reward for Chelsea’s relentless pressure, as they had peppered Trubin’s goal with shots throughout the first half. Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Marc Cucurella all came close to scoring, only to be thwarted by Trubin’s sharp reflexes or, in Cucurella’s case, a last-ditch clearance by Benfica’s towering center-back, Antonio Silva. Despite their profligacy in front of goal, Chelsea’s performance was a statement of intent, signaling their ambition to go deep in the tournament. However, the match’s defining moment came not from a piece of skillful play but from an act of nature that brought proceedings to a grinding halt. In the 86th minute, with Chelsea leading 1-0 and seemingly on the cusp of victory, the referee halted play due to lightning in the vicinity of the stadium. The decision was met with frustration from both sets of players, who were forced to retreat to the locker rooms, while the sparse crowd was directed to seek cover in the stadium’s concourses. The delay, lasting a grueling two hours, tested the patience and focus of everyone involved. For Chelsea, the interruption threatened to disrupt their momentum, as they had been in complete control of the game. For Benfica, it offered a lifeline, a chance to regroup and reassess their approach after being outplayed for much of the match. This was not the first time the Club World Cup had been plagued by such disruptions; it marked the sixth weather-related delay of the tournament, with Benfica themselves having endured a similar two-hour pause during their group stage victory over Auckland City in Orlando. The recurring issue raised serious questions about the tournament’s organization, with critics, including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, lambasting the event as “the worst idea ever implemented in football.” When play finally resumed, the match took on a new level of intensity, as both teams grappled with the challenge of regaining their rhythm after the prolonged break. Benfica, reinvigorated by the delay, capitalized on their opportunity in the fifth minute of stoppage time. A VAR review deemed Chelsea’s Malo Gusto to have handled the ball in the penalty area, a decision that sparked heated debate among fans and pundits alike. Angel Di Maria, Benfica’s talismanic forward and a veteran of high-stakes matches, stepped up to take the penalty. With ice in his veins, Di Maria slotted the ball past Chelsea’s goalkeeper, marking his fourth successful penalty of the tournament and sending the game into extra time. The equalizer was a bitter pill for Chelsea to swallow, as it appeared to undo their hard-earned lead and shift the momentum in Benfica’s favor. The penalty call, while technically correct, underscored the fine margins that often define knockout football, leaving Chelsea to regroup and refocus as the match entered uncharted territory. The turning point of the contest came early in extra time, when Benfica’s substitute Gianluca Prestianni was shown a second yellow card, reducing his side to ten men. The dismissal, which came after a reckless challenge, handed Chelsea a numerical advantage and shifted the balance of the game decisively in their favor. Maresca’s men wasted no time capitalizing on their opportunity, as they began to exploit the gaps in Benfica’s depleted defense. In the 108th minute, Christopher Nkunku restored Chelsea’s lead with a goal that epitomized his predatory instincts in the box. Latching onto a low cross, Nkunku bundled the ball home from close range, sparking wild celebrations among the Chelsea players and the small but vocal contingent of supporters who had endured the lengthy delay. The goal was a release of pent-up frustration, as Chelsea had seen their dominance go unrewarded for much of the match. Nkunku’s strike reinvigorated the team, and they pressed forward with renewed vigor, sensing that victory was within their grasp. As Benfica tired and struggled to cope with their numerical disadvantage, Chelsea’s attacking prowess came to the fore. Pedro Neto, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, added a third goal for Chelsea with a clinical breakaway finish. The winger, showcasing his blistering pace and composure, latched onto a through ball and slotted it past Trubin, effectively sealing the tie. Moments later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put the gloss on the victory with another breakaway goal, capitalizing on Benfica’s stretched defense to fire home from the edge of the box. The late flurry of goals was a fitting reward for Chelsea’s persistence and tactical discipline, as they turned a potentially precarious situation into a commanding triumph. The final whistle, which came after an exhausting four and a half hours, was greeted with a mixture of relief and jubilation by the Chelsea players, who had navigated a grueling test to keep their trophy hopes alive. The match was not without its off-field talking points, as Chelsea’s preparations were overshadowed by news of a significant transfer coup. Before the game, reports emerged that the club had reached an agreement to sign Borussia Dortmund’s highly rated winger, Jamie Gittens, a move that underscored Chelsea’s ambition to bolster their squad for the challenges ahead. However, the focus on the pitch was firmly on the players who delivered when it mattered most. Maresca’s decision to start Liam Delap up front in place of the suspended Nicolas Jackson, who was serving the second game of his ban following a red card against Flamengo, paid dividends, as the young striker worked tirelessly to stretch Benfica’s defense. The manager’s tactical acumen was evident throughout, as Chelsea maintained their composure despite the disruptions and setbacks, ultimately emerging as deserved winners. The victory was a microcosm of Chelsea’s broader journey in the Club World Cup, a tournament that has tested their resilience and adaptability at every turn. The weather delay, while frustrating, was just one of many challenges they have faced in a competition that has been criticized for its logistical shortcomings. Yet, for Chelsea, the focus remains on the prize, and their performance against Benfica was a powerful statement of their credentials. The contributions of James, Nkunku, Neto, and Dewsbury-Hall highlighted the depth and quality within Maresca’s squad, while the team’s ability to overcome adversity underscored their mental fortitude. As they look ahead to their quarter-final clash with Palmeiras, Chelsea will draw confidence from their ability to navigate the chaos of this match and emerge victorious. In the broader context, the match served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where external factors can play as significant a role as tactics and talent. The two-hour weather delay, while disruptive, added an element of drama to an already enthralling encounter, ensuring that it will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary matches of the tournament. For Chelsea, the victory was a triumph of perseverance, as they overcame a resilient Benfica side, a controversial penalty, and a lengthy interruption to secure their place in the last eight. The celebrations that followed the final whistle were a testament to the significance of the win, as Chelsea’s players and fans alike reveled in a hard-fought victory that kept their dreams of Club World Cup glory alive. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, Chelsea will carry the momentum of this remarkable night in Charlotte, ready to take on whatever comes their way in their quest for the trophy.