Chelsea's Set-Piece Mastery Secures Round of 16 Clash with Benfica After Beating ES Tunis
ES Tunis vs Chelsea
In a match that carried the weight of progression in the FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea secured a hard-fought victory over ES Tunis to advance to the round of 16, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Benfica. The stakes were clear from the outset: a win or draw would ensure Chelsea’s place as the second-place finishers in Group D, while ES Tunis needed a victory to keep their tournament hopes alive, with Flamengo already confirmed as group winners and LAFC eliminated. Played under intense scrutiny and in challenging conditions, the match exposed both Chelsea’s vulnerabilities and their capacity to seize critical moments. Despite a disjointed first half marked by frustration and a lack of cohesion, Chelsea capitalized on a set-piece opportunity in stoppage time, with Tosin Adarabioyo’s towering header breaking the deadlock, followed swiftly by Liam Delap’s first goal for the club. These moments of quality proved decisive, allowing Chelsea to navigate a stubborn ES Tunis side that had frustrated them with a resolute low block. The second half saw Chelsea stabilize, with substitutes making an impact, including a late goal from Tyrique George that sealed a 3-0 scoreline. While the performance was far from flawless, it marked Chelsea’s strongest showing in a group stage campaign that had been underwhelming, highlighting both their potential and the areas in need of refinement as they prepare to face a formidable Benfica side in the knockout rounds.
The first half was a test of Chelsea’s patience and adaptability, as Enzo Maresca’s rotated lineup struggled to find rhythm against a well-organized ES Tunis side. The Tunisian outfit, aware that only a win would suffice, adopted an aggressive yet cautious approach, probing Chelsea’s defense early on but lacking the precision to convert their forays into meaningful chances. Out of possession, ES Tunis deployed a low block that stifled Chelsea’s attacking ambitions, forcing the Blues into a frustrating cycle of lateral passing and half-hearted attempts to penetrate the compact defensive structure. Maresca’s decision to rotate his squad, likely with an eye on preserving key players for the knockout stages, backfired to an extent, as the players on the pitch appeared disjointed, with visible signs of frustration among them. Misplaced passes and poor decision-making in the final third characterized much of Chelsea’s play, and the crowd’s restlessness grew as the half progressed without a breakthrough. ES Tunis, while not particularly threatening, were disciplined and resolute, their defensive shape suffocating Chelsea’s attempts to play through the lines. It was a stark reminder of the challenges posed by teams outside Europe’s elite, who often rely on tactical discipline and physicality to compete in high-stakes tournaments like the Club World Cup.
The turning point came in the dying moments of first-half stoppage time, when Chelsea finally found a way to unlock ES Tunis’s defense through a set piece. Enzo Fernandez, whose influence had been muted for much of the half, delivered a pinpoint free-kick that found Tosin Adarabioyo in a dangerous position. The towering defender rose above the ES Tunis backline, directing a powerful header toward the far post and into the side netting, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal was a lifeline for Chelsea, transforming the mood in the stadium and injecting a sense of belief into a team that had been laboring. Barely a minute later, Chelsea struck again, capitalizing on the momentum shift. Liam Delap, a young striker eager to make his mark, latched onto a well-weighted pass and finished with composure to double Chelsea’s lead. It was Delap’s first goal for the club, a moment of personal triumph that underscored his potential and provided Chelsea with a crucial cushion. These two quickfire goals, coming at a time when Chelsea’s performance had been underwhelming, highlighted the importance of set-piece execution and clinical finishing in tight, high-pressure encounters. For ES Tunis, the late concession of two goals was a devastating blow, undermining their disciplined first-half display and leaving them with a mountain to climb after the break.
Maresca’s adjustments at halftime, which saw four substitutions, brought a renewed sense of purpose to Chelsea’s play. The introduction of fresh legs helped the Blues maintain control, as they shifted from the frantic, disjointed approach of the first half to a more measured and composed performance. While ES Tunis continued to defend resolutely, their attacking threat diminished as the game wore on, with Chelsea’s midfield, led by Fernandez’s growing influence, beginning to dictate the tempo. The second half was not without its challenges, as Chelsea still struggled to create clear-cut chances from open play, a reflection of the lingering issues in their attacking cohesion. However, their defensive solidity ensured that ES Tunis rarely threatened to claw their way back into the match. In the dying moments, substitute Tyrique George added a third goal, a moment of individual brilliance that capped off the victory and provided a flattering scoreline. George’s strike, coming off the bench, was a testament to Chelsea’s depth and the potential of their young talents to make an impact in crucial moments. Yet, despite the 3-0 result, the performance was far from convincing, with Maresca’s side showing flashes of quality but lacking the dominance expected of a team with their pedigree.
Reflecting on Chelsea’s group stage campaign, the victory over ES Tunis stood out as their most complete performance, yet it was not without its caveats. The Blues had struggled in earlier matches, failing to assert themselves against LAFC and crumbling under Flamengo’s attacking pressure. Against ES Tunis, they were comfortable but far from elite, with moments of frustration and inefficiency that underscored the work still needed to reach their full potential. As UEFA Conference League winners, Chelsea entered the tournament with high expectations, but their group stage performances suggested a team still finding its identity under Maresca’s stewardship. The rotated lineups, while necessary to manage fatigue in a congested schedule, exposed a lack of cohesion among the squad’s fringe players, raising questions about their depth in high-stakes scenarios. Nevertheless, the victory secured their place in the round of 16, offering a chance to reset and refocus as they prepare to face Benfica, a team riding the high of a historic win over Bayern Munich. Maresca will need to address the inconsistencies in Chelsea’s play, particularly their reliance on set pieces and moments of individual quality to break down stubborn defenses, if they are to progress further in the tournament.
The upcoming clash with Benfica represents a formidable challenge for Chelsea, as the Portuguese side has shown both tactical discipline and attacking flair in their Group C campaign. Benfica’s victory over Bayern Munich, a result that stunned the footballing world, highlighted their ability to compete with Europe’s elite. Andreas Schjelderup’s clinical finishing, Anatoliy Trubin’s goalkeeping heroics, and Bruno Lage’s astute management have transformed Benfica into a genuine threat, capable of exploiting any lapses in concentration. For Chelsea, the matchup will test their ability to adapt to a team that combines aggression with defensive solidity, qualities that ES Tunis showcased but Benfica possess in greater measure. Maresca’s tactical approach, which has oscillated between pragmatism and ambition, will need to strike a delicate balance to counter Benfica’s strengths. The Blues’ reliance on set pieces, while effective against ES Tunis, may not suffice against a Benfica side that has proven adept at neutralizing high-caliber opponents. The round of 16 clash promises to be a tactical chess match, with Chelsea’s hopes of advancing hinging on their ability to find consistency and unlock their attacking potential.
As Chelsea look ahead to the knockout stages, the victory over ES Tunis serves as both a stepping stone and a warning. The result secured their progression, but the manner of the performance underscored the need for improvement if they are to fulfill their ambitions in the Club World Cup. The contributions of Adarabioyo, Delap, and George highlighted the potential within Chelsea’s squad, but their reliance on moments of individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play raises concerns. Benfica, with their newfound confidence and momentum, loom as a significant obstacle, and Chelsea will need to elevate their game to avoid an early exit. For now, the Blues can take solace in a job well done against ES Tunis, but the road ahead demands a level of precision and intensity that has so far eluded them in this tournament.
