Chelsea secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup with a thrilling victory over Benfica. The exciting match, played on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, was overshadowed by a stunning two-hour weather delay which ended play when lightning struck in the 86th minute. Except for the brief spell of trouble caused by the interruption, Chelsea proved their dominance all game long and wound up winning 3-1.
The game began with Chelsea’s Reece James opening the scoring with a clever free-kick that caught Benfica’s defense off guard. James’s full-blooded effort to open the scoring perfectly summed up the desire of each player to fight from the very start. Chelsea asserted their dominance and controlled the pace of play. Shortly after, Christopher Nkunku doubled Chelsea’s lead, capitalizing on excellent team play to slot the ball past Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Key Moments in the Match
Benfica’s Trubin was instrumental in keeping his side alive in the game. He didn’t have too much to do in the game but made some intelligent saves against Chelsea’s attackers, thwarting attempts from Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella. His outstanding performance quickly gained him praise, even as Benfica faltered to keep up with Chelsea’s growing offensive pressure. That wasn’t enough to keep out Chelsea’s near-constant pressure.
Just as the game looked to be concluding, the appearance of a freak lightning storm led to the suspension of play in the 86th minute. Players and fans alike were watching the clock and waiting anxiously for the match to resume. After a two-hour delay, officials signaled that play could continue, allowing both teams to return to the field for the final moments of regulation time.
In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Benfica were rewarded a penalty kick deep into stoppage time. The on-field referee ruled that Malo Gusto had committed a foul by handling the ball in the box. Angel Di Maria was the man for the job, and he cooly notched his fourth successful penalty of the tournament. This goal lifted Benfica back into contention and carried the game into extra time.
Chelsea’s Dominance Shines Through
Even after the comeback from Benfica, Chelsea still looked the more likely winners in extra time. The side possessed the ball well and generated a gaudy amount of quality chances. Pedro Neto wrapped his foot around a curling, well-placed shot that went over the keeper into the upper 90. This goal clinched Chelsea’s win and ensured their place in the next round.
The final whistle also ensured that Chelsea could celebrate their eventual 3-1 triumph over Benfica in full – they definitely had to work for their victory. The team will take on Brazilian champions Palmeiras next in the tournament’s quarterfinals. This third booth match is set to start at 2 AM Saturday morning at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Chelsea’s performance against Benfica highlighted their resilience and tactical prowess, proving they are a formidable contender in this prestigious tournament. They don’t just settle for success. They will look to take this momentum into their next underdog challenge as they face Brazilian side Palmeiras.
Looking Ahead
As Chelsea gets ready to face off against Palmeiras, the excitement is palpable — from fans to players. Having enjoyed great success in the past, the squad are determined to add to their heroics and return to the chase for global glory. From a deep, talented roster to an overwhelming on-pitch performance against Benfica, Chelsea looks more than prepared for any obstacles that may come their way.
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