Chelsea secured their passage to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portuguese giants Benfica, in a match that saw dramatic late-game interruptions due to severe weather. The decisive goal came from a stunning free-kick by captain Reece James in the 64th minute at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday, June 28, 2025 (Daily Mail, ESPN).
The match, played in sweltering 34-degree Celsius heat, saw Chelsea dominate possession with 57.6% and create numerous opportunities, registering 12 shots with 6 on target. However, they were repeatedly thwarted by Benfica’s Ukrainian goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, whose impressive saves kept his side in the contest for much of the game. Chelsea’s left-back Marc Cucurella was particularly active in attack, having six touches in the Benfica penalty area, matching the combined efforts of Liam Delap and Cole Palmer (Daily Mail).
Despite Chelsea’s attacking prowess, the breakthrough proved elusive until James’s moment of brilliance. His inch-perfect free-kick from approximately 25 yards out curled inside the near post, leaving Trubin with no chance. Earlier in the second half, Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead when Liam Delap rounded the goalkeeper, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. The Blues also had a heart-in-mouth moment when Moises Caicedo was involved in a strong challenge, fortunately avoiding serious injury, though he did receive a yellow card that would rule him out of the quarter-final if Chelsea progressed (Daily Mail, Reddit).
The game took an unexpected turn in the 86th minute when the referee halted play due to a severe weather warning, with black clouds rolling in overhead. Players were advised to return to the tunnel, and supporters were asked to seek shelter indoors. This interruption came with just four minutes of normal time remaining, leaving both teams and fans in suspense (Daily Mail, BBC Sport).
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made seven changes to his starting lineup, demonstrating his intent to utilize the full squad in the challenging conditions. Liam Delap led the line, while Reece James returned to right-back. Benoit Badiashile started but was later replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo due to injury concerns. Midfielder Cole Palmer, deployed on the left wing, drew criticism from former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel, who argued that Palmer is best utilized as a No. 10, central to the team’s play (Daily Mail, We Ain’t Got No History).
The match also highlighted broader discussions surrounding the expanded Club World Cup. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been a vocal critic, labeling the tournament the “worst idea ever implemented in football,” citing concerns about player welfare and the demanding schedule (Daily Mail). The attendance for the match was notably low, with only 25,929 fans present in a stadium capable of holding around 75,000, further fueling debates about the tournament’s appeal and scheduling (BBC Sport).
Off the pitch, Chelsea’s transfer activities continue to make headlines. The club has reportedly agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign 20-year-old English winger Jamie Gittens, who is expected to sign a seven-year contract and undergo a medical this weekend. However, Gittens would be ineligible to play for Chelsea in the current Club World Cup, having already featured for Dortmund in the competition. Additionally, Chelsea’s £50 million bid for Brighton forward Joao Pedro was rejected, with the Seagulls reportedly holding out for offers closer to £60 million (Daily Mail).
With this victory, Chelsea will now face Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, who secured their spot by defeating fellow Brazilian club Botafogo in extra time (ESPN). The Blues will be looking to build on this win as they navigate the demanding schedule and challenging conditions of the Club World Cup.
