Chelsea christened their FIFA Club World Cup adventure with an easy 2-0 triumph over LAFC in Group D, a historic first CWC meeting between English and American teams.
The Blues had the early possession and territory supremacy, as Noni Madueke almost scored but Hugo Lloris prevented the goal. Lloris. A long-range speculative shot from Cole Palmer went over, but the quality of the team, however, took over eventually for Chelsea.
Pedro Neto found the net shortly before the break, demonstrating great skill in moving off the ball and finishing into the net after Lloris was beaten on the near post. LAFC seemed more purposeful after the break as David Martínez curling just wide moments after his introduction.
Still, Chelsea were back in command in no time. Nicolas Jackson got a header that was cleared off the line, and Robert Sánchez was there to help when Denis Bouanga fired a shot close to the goal.
The win was confirmed in 80th minute when debutant Liam Delap whipped in a pinpoint cross that Enzo Fernández rifled home. LAFC dictated the game in the last moments, but Sánchez was there to save against Martínez before Neto shot came off the bar in added time.
While Chelsea now get ready for a more difficult task against Flamengo, LAFC will try to recover in the clash with Esperance de Tunis.
