Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a confident 2-0 win against LAFC in a match that truly delivered the excitement—even if the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta felt a bit half-empty. The energy on the field made up for the quiet stands, and fans around the globe were in for a treat! ⚽
Although three of Chelsea's four latest signings started on the bench, the team showed they meant business early on. Within 15 minutes, the Conference League champions began dominating midfield. Cole Palmer, now sporting the number 10 jersey, and Nicolas Jackson sparked some thrilling moments, with Palmer curling a notable effort just after the 20-minute mark.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Jackson’s intelligent pass found Pedro Neto, who expertly beat LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris for the opening goal. Meanwhile, LAFC had to make an early substitution as Nathan Ordaz, suffering a knock on the head, was replaced by David Martinez.
The match stayed competitive with Jackson nearly doubling the lead as his header narrowly missed the net. At the other end, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga showed off a burst of power and skill, earning a solid save from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez. Later, substitute Liam Delap—one of Chelsea's summer signings—made an impressive debut by assisting Fernandez’s clinching goal in the 64th minute. 🎉
This win sets an energetic tone for Chelsea's journey in the tournament, promising more high-octane action and smart plays ahead. With innovative tactics and fresh talent making an impact, the campaign is off to a dynamic start that young fans and early professionals alike will surely appreciate. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
