Storm Halts, Drama Unleashed
With Chelsea leading 1–0 from Reece James’s brilliant 64′ free-kick, play was suspended in the 85th minute due to lightning within 13 km, keeping 25,000 fans waiting through numerous false-starts for nearly two hours.
Controversy & Redemption
After resumption, Benfica snatched a lifeline via a VAR-awarded penalty, expertly slotted by Ángel Di María to seal 1–1 and push the match into extra time.
But the skies cleared—and so did Chelsea’s dominance.
Extra-Time Carnage
Benfica's hopes collapsed early in extra time when Gianluca Prestianni received a red card, leaving his side shorthanded.
With a man up, Chelsea struck swiftly:
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Christopher Nkunku (108′)
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Pedro Neto (114′)
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (116′)
Their flurry of clinical goals sealed a 4–1 victory and progression to the quarter-finals.
Key Performers & Tactics
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Reece James: A standout—free-kick specialist and captain, pivotal despite an earlier mispass .
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Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo & Romeo Lavia: Chelsea’s midfield trio stifled Benfica’s advances, dictating play.
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Benfica defense: Cooked by fatigue, especially veteran Nicolás Otamendi, who struggled late in extra time.
Stats & Records
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Total Duration: 4h 38m – one of the longest matches in Club World Cup history.
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Head-to-head: Chelsea now leads the series 4-0 in competitive games, including the 2013 Europa League final.
Next Up: Quarter-finals
Chelsea will face Palmeiras from Brazil, with the match scheduled for Friday, 4 July, in Philadelphia.