It was a match of epic proportions at Bank of America Stadium where Chelsea put on a show for the ages! After a dramatic two‐hour lightning delay (yes, talk about a plot twist ⚡), the game stretched to nearly five hours before Chelsea clinched a 4-1 win over Benfica in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16.
Reece James set the tone with a sublime free kick in the 64th minute, giving Chelsea an early lead. But the real star was Christopher Nkunku, who turned the extra-time stage into his playground. In the 108th minute, with Benfica a man down after Gianluca Prestianni's red card, Nkunku pounced on a rebound from Moises Caicedo’s shot and expertly directed the ball into the top right corner. His goal not only broke the deadlock but ignited a fast-paced, thrilling finale!
Adding to the excitement, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ensured the win with their timely goals, while Angel Di Maria managed to pull one back with a penalty, though it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. Chelsea’s resilience and dynamic play have now propelled them into the quarterfinals, where they are set to face Palmeiras in Philadelphia.
This rollercoaster of a match is a reminder that in football, as in life, unexpected delays (just like tech glitches 😅) can lead to the most unforgettable comebacks!
Reference(s):
Chelsea score 3 goals in extra time to beat Benfica at Club World Cup
cgtn.com
