With a 4-1 extra-time triumph, Chelsea sealed their spot in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, after a thrilling and weather-interrupted match in Charlotte.
The Blues controlled the game from the beginning and came close to scoring within the first minute, but both Pedro Neto and Liam Delap couldn’t find the net as the Benfica defense was very solid. Marc Cucurella was very active in the first half and twice forced Antonio Silva and goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin to make important saves.
After a tight and goalless first half, Chelsea took the lead in the 64th minute when Reece James powered in a free-kick that Cole Palmer had earned. Delap thought he had given his team a two-goal advantage near the end after a one-two with Cucurella, but VAR disallowed it due to offside.
Just when it seemed like the win was going to be there, an unfortunate moment happened during stoppage time as Malo Gusto gave away a penalty after a handball. Angel Di Maria’s goal brought the game to extra-time although Benfica were down to 10 players, following Gianluca Prestianni’s dismissal.
Chelsea made no mistake. Christopher Nkunku grabbed a rebound to score the first goal after the keeper erred, followed by late goals from Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to complete the 4-1 rout. Maresca’s team have Palmeiras next in the quarter-finals.
