emirates7 - Chelsea advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica on Saturday, in a match that was disrupted by severe weather conditions.
Reece James, the Chelsea captain, put his team ahead in the 64th minute with a well-taken free kick, shortly before play was halted for nearly two hours due to lightning in the Charlotte area.
After the lengthy delay, Angel Di Maria leveled the score with a penalty nine minutes into the restart. However, Benfica’s hopes took a major hit early in extra time when Gianluca Prestianni was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
With a man advantage, Chelsea surged ahead as Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall each scored in a rapid nine-minute spell, securing a quarterfinal meeting with Brazilian side Palmeiras on Friday.
Chelsea dominated the early stages at the Bank of America Stadium, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo expertly dictating the rhythm from midfield.
Reece James, the Chelsea captain, put his team ahead in the 64th minute with a well-taken free kick, shortly before play was halted for nearly two hours due to lightning in the Charlotte area.
After the lengthy delay, Angel Di Maria leveled the score with a penalty nine minutes into the restart. However, Benfica’s hopes took a major hit early in extra time when Gianluca Prestianni was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
With a man advantage, Chelsea surged ahead as Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall each scored in a rapid nine-minute spell, securing a quarterfinal meeting with Brazilian side Palmeiras on Friday.
Chelsea dominated the early stages at the Bank of America Stadium, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo expertly dictating the rhythm from midfield.