Home Football Chelsea Override 10‑Man Benfica in Epic Extra‑Time Clash to Reach Quarter‑Finals

Chelsea Override 10‑Man Benfica in Epic Extra‑Time Clash to Reach Quarter‑Finals

by Osmond OMOLU
chelsea

CHARLOTTE, June 29, 2025Chelsea announced their presence in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals after an unforgettable 4-1 extra-time victory over a 10-man Benfica at Bank of America Stadium. The English side overpowered their Portuguese opponents with three rapid extra-time strikes, overcoming a near two-hour weather delay to set up a high-profile showdown with Palmeiras.

Match Summary

  • Early Goal: Reece James opened the scoring with a trademark free-kick in the 64th minute, picking out the top corner to give Chelsea the lead.
  • Storm Delay: The match was suspended five minutes before full-time due to lightning within eight miles, forcing a nearly two-hour pause under FIFA’s weather protocol.
  • Late Equalizer: Shortly after resumption, Benfica earned a penalty following a handball by Malo Gusto, and Ángel Di María converted to level the game in stoppage time.
  • Red Card Drama: Two minutes into extra time, Gianluca Prestianni was dismissed for a second yellow card, leaving Benfica down to ten men.

Extra-Time Explosion

Converting their numerical advantage into goals, Chelsea unleashed a flurry of strikes in just nine minutes:

  • Christopher Nkunku tapped home after Moisés Caicedo’s saved effort in the 108th minute.
  • Pedro Neto followed six minutes later, finishing neatly after another Caicedo assist
  • Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed the emphatic win in the 117th minute with a clinical finish provided by Cole Palmer.

Post-Match Reaction

Head coach Enzo Maresca praised his team’s resilience, especially after the disruption:

“Very proud, the performance for me was top until 85 minutes when they stopped the game… When you are inside for more than one hour, it’s not easy, but 1‑1 and then we continued to play and the reward was the one that we deserved.”

Key Talking Points

TopicDetails
Team ResilienceChelsea maintained focus and fitness despite the extended delay and shifting momentum.
Set-piece ProwessReece James’s free-kick not only broke the deadlock but underlined his knack for crucial goals.
Squad StrengthSubstitutes like Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall demonstrated the depth of Maresca’s squad.
Benfica’s WoesThe red card and late equalizer showed resilience, but ultimately the numerical disadvantage decided the match.

What’s Next?

Chelsea now prepare to face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals this Friday in Philadelphia, chasing a spot in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

Tactical Analysis

  • Maresca’s decision to rotate the squad—introducing Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, and Neto—paid off, injecting fresh energy in extra time.
  • Midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández controlled tempo and supply, crucial for Chelsea’s late dominance.

Final Thoughts

This match wasn’t just a gritty last-16 win—it served as a testament to Chelsea’s depth, mental strength, and adaptability. Surviving a historic weather delay and turning the tide in extra time, Maresca’s squad proved they can dig deep under pressure. Up next is a tactical battle with Palmeiras, where their resilience will be tested again.

Let me know if you want player-by-player performance ratings, tactical breakdowns for the quarter-final clash, or insights on weather protocol impacts and scheduling challenges!

You may also like

Leave a Comment