Chelsea thrash Benfica 4-1 to book Club World Cup quarter-final spot

Chelsea secured a dramatic 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica in a weather-disrupted last-16 clash to reach the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Blues will now face Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals after late goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed a hard-fought win in a match that lasted nearly five hours due to a lengthy weather delay.

Storm Delay Sparks Controversy

The encounter at Bank of America Stadium was halted for nearly two hours due to storm protocols, extending the total duration of the match to four hours and 39 minutes. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was unimpressed with the disruption, branding the situation as “a joke.”

“For 85 minutes we were in control,” Maresca said. “We created enough chances to win. After the break, everything changed. For me, this isn’t real football.”

Chelsea appeared on course for a regulation-time win after Reece James’ clever free-kick gave them a 1-0 lead with just minutes left. However, the delay triggered by the incoming storm threw the game into chaos and ultimately shifted the momentum.

Benfica Equalise Before Chelsea Take Control

Following the restart, Benfica were awarded a penalty in stoppage time after a VAR check penalised Malo Gusto for handball. Veteran midfielder Ángel Di María calmly converted from the spot to send the match into extra time.

Despite being reduced to 10 men after Gianluca Prestianni was sent off at the end of regular time, Benfica showed attacking intent early in extra time. But Chelsea quickly regained control.

Nkunku put the Premier League side back in front by finishing a loose ball after Moises Caicedo’s shot slipped under Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. As Benfica pushed forward, gaps began to open, and Chelsea exploited them ruthlessly.

Neto extended the lead with a cool finish in the 114th minute, and Dewsbury-Hall added a fourth moments later to cap off a chaotic but ultimately triumphant night for the London club.