Chelsea book Club World Cup quarter-final spot after long weather delay
The Blues were just four minutes away from victory in normal time in Charlotte after a stunning Reece James free-kick when a thunderstorm forced the players off the field.
After a stoppage of almost two hours, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot but Chelsea roused themselves in extra-time after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off.
Christopher Nkunku struck from close range in the 108th minute before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up a deserved triumph, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off at the Bank of America Stadium.
And breathe. Up the Chels!!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/7E60FQv7mC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025
Enzo Maresca's side will face Palmeiras in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday after their defeat of Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday.
Influential midfielder Moises Caicedo will not be available after he was booked in the second half in North Carolina.
Chelsea dominated the majority of the game, but failed to make the most of a succession of chances in the first half.
Marc Cucurella curled a shot around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin but Antonio Silva reacted quickly to head off the line.
Trubin then tipped an effort round the post from Cole Palmer before smothering another attempt from Cucurella.
Players walk off the field for a weather delay during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina (Chris Carlson/AP)
A rare attack from Benfica was thwarted when James blocked an Andreas Schjelderup shot but Palmer was similarly frustrated by the impressive Silva at the other end.
Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half but a Palmer cross was deflected away from goal by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo drove wide.
Chelsea finally got the reward their superiority deserved as James chanced his arm from a set-piece on 64 minutes.
The Blues skipper appeared to be lining up to cross from wide on the left but instead whipped a curling right-foot shot over the two-man wall and inside the near post.
Benfica tried to respond and Evangelos Pavlidis appealed for a penalty after a tussle with Benoit Badiashile but nothing was given. Liam Delap put the ball in the net for Chelsea but was flagged offside.
The game had largely been played in sweltering heat, but as a storm neared in the closing minutes, play was suspended.
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku scores his side's second goal (Nell Redmond/AP)
It became the latest of a series of games in the tournament to be paused due to the weather. The players were pictured during the enforced break kicking a ball and exercising in the dressing room.
The stoppage worked to Benfica's benefit as they won a penalty when Otamendi's nod down brushed the arm of Malo Gusto and was harshly ruled as a penalty.
Di Maria made no mistake from the spot – his fourth successful penalty of the tournament – to force extra-time.
Benfica were reduced to 10 men when Prestianni received a second booking for a foul on Levi Colwill.
Chelsea took control and went close when Palmer had a shot saved by Trubin, but Sanchez needed to be alert to deny Di Maria moments later.
Nkunku broke through when he struck at the second attempt after an initial effort was blocked by Otamendi and Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added gloss to the scoreline.
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Glasgow Times
33 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Chelsea book Club World Cup quarter-final spot after long weather delay
The Blues were just four minutes away from victory in normal time in Charlotte after a stunning Reece James free-kick when a thunderstorm forced the players off the field. After a stoppage of almost two hours, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot but Chelsea roused themselves in extra-time after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off. Christopher Nkunku struck from close range in the 108th minute before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up a deserved triumph, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off at the Bank of America Stadium. And breathe. Up the Chels!!! 💙 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025 Enzo Maresca's side will face Palmeiras in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday after their defeat of Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday. Influential midfielder Moises Caicedo will not be available after he was booked in the second half in North Carolina. Chelsea dominated the majority of the game, but failed to make the most of a succession of chances in the first half. Marc Cucurella curled a shot around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin but Antonio Silva reacted quickly to head off the line. Trubin then tipped an effort round the post from Cole Palmer before smothering another attempt from Cucurella. Players walk off the field for a weather delay during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina (Chris Carlson/AP) A rare attack from Benfica was thwarted when James blocked an Andreas Schjelderup shot but Palmer was similarly frustrated by the impressive Silva at the other end. Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half but a Palmer cross was deflected away from goal by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo drove wide. Chelsea finally got the reward their superiority deserved as James chanced his arm from a set-piece on 64 minutes. The Blues skipper appeared to be lining up to cross from wide on the left but instead whipped a curling right-foot shot over the two-man wall and inside the near post. Benfica tried to respond and Evangelos Pavlidis appealed for a penalty after a tussle with Benoit Badiashile but nothing was given. Liam Delap put the ball in the net for Chelsea but was flagged offside. The game had largely been played in sweltering heat, but as a storm neared in the closing minutes, play was suspended. Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku scores his side's second goal (Nell Redmond/AP) It became the latest of a series of games in the tournament to be paused due to the weather. The players were pictured during the enforced break kicking a ball and exercising in the dressing room. The stoppage worked to Benfica's benefit as they won a penalty when Otamendi's nod down brushed the arm of Malo Gusto and was harshly ruled as a penalty. Di Maria made no mistake from the spot – his fourth successful penalty of the tournament – to force extra-time. Benfica were reduced to 10 men when Prestianni received a second booking for a foul on Levi Colwill. Chelsea took control and went close when Palmer had a shot saved by Trubin, but Sanchez needed to be alert to deny Di Maria moments later. Nkunku broke through when he struck at the second attempt after an initial effort was blocked by Otamendi and Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added gloss to the scoreline.
Glasgow Times
34 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Sunday's briefing: England Under-21s defend European title and Chelsea advance
Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 in extra-time after a late weather delay in the match in Charlotte to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. England boss Sarina Wiegman continues the preparation for Euro 2025 with a friendly against Jamaica in Leicester on Sunday. Young Lions roar again Jonathan Rowe's extra-time header secured England Under-21s back-to-back European Championship titles after beating Germany 3-2 in extra-time in Bratislava. Germany had beaten England in the group stages, but Lee Carsley's side got off to a flying start with early goals from Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson. However, Nelson Weiper struck just before the break and Paul Nebel then dragged Germany back on level terms. Harvey Elliott gave England an early lead (PA Wire) Substitute Rowe made an instant impact after coming off the bench in extra-time, scoring with a diving header which proved decisive despite Germany coming close again late on when Merlin Rohl's effort rattled the crossbar. 'I am so proud of them, so happy for them,' England Under-21s boss Carsley said on Channel 4. 'To be European champions for the second time is a great achievement and I suppose the challenge now is to do it again in two years.' Blues march on at Club World Cup Chelsea captain Reece James (right) scored a free-kick just after the hour (Nell Redmond/AP) Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 after a weather delay late on in the match in Charlotte to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, where they will face Brazilian side Palmeiras. The Blues saw first-half efforts from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer saved by Benfica goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin. The Ukrainian, though, was caught out in the 64th minute when Reece James fired an angled free-kick from the left past him at the near post. The match was suspended with just four minutes left of normal time because of the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, a break which lasted almost two hours. When the game resumed, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot to send the game into extra-time. After Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was sent off, Chelsea regained control and Christopher Nkunku put them ahead from close range. Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added late goals on the break In Saturday's other last-16 tie, Palmeiras beat Brazil rivals Botafogo 1-0 after extra-time in Philadelphia. Palmeiras substitute Paulinho made the decisive breakthrough in the 10th minute of extra-time, before captain Gustavo Gomez was sent off for a second yellow card following an off-the-ball tussle, but his side held out. Lionesses continue Euros countdown England host Jamaica at the King Power Stadium on Sunday for their Euro 2025 send-off friendly. Lauren James is in line for her first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury in April. The Chelsea forward, 23, has been unable to feature for club or country since limping off midway through England's 5-0 Nations League win against Belgium nearly three months ago, but returned to training last week. England boss Sarina Wiegman said: 'She is doing really well, but of course she hasn't played games yet, but she's in a good place. 'She will likely come off the bench, we can manage that a bit. She showed up on the training session really well.' Cristiano Ronaldo sees a bigger picture Cristiano Ronaldo feels turning down the opportunity to play at the Club World Cup and signing a new two-year deal with Al Nassr gives him a better chance of success next season – and another shot at taking Portugal to World Cup glory. Following Al Nassr's final league game of the season last month, Ronaldo had posted on social media 'the chapter is over', which fuelled speculation the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was to leave the Saudi Pro League club. The 40-year-old revealed teams had 'reached out' over taking part in the Club World Cup in the United States, but he decided instead to extend his stay with Al Nassr. 'I had some offers to play (Club) World Cup, but I think it didn't make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, because this is the season of the World Cup at the end,' Ronaldo told Al Nassr TV. 'I want to be ready not only for Al Nassr, but also for the national team, so this is why I decide to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to nothing (about the offers) and of course to be in this club, which I love.' What's on today? England manager Sarina Wiegman is fine tuning the squad ahead of the defence of their European Championship crown (Nigel French/PA) England host Jamaica in Leicester for their final warm-up fixture ahead of Euro 2025. The Club World Cup knockout stage continues as PSG take on Inter Miami in Atlanta while Bayern Munich face Brazilian side Flamengo in Miami.
Rhyl Journal
43 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Chelsea book Club World Cup quarter-final spot after long weather delay
The Blues were just four minutes away from victory in normal time in Charlotte after a stunning Reece James free-kick when a thunderstorm forced the players off the field. After a stoppage of almost two hours, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot but Chelsea roused themselves in extra-time after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off. Christopher Nkunku struck from close range in the 108th minute before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up a deserved triumph, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off at the Bank of America Stadium. And breathe. Up the Chels!!! 💙 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025 Enzo Maresca's side will face Palmeiras in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday after their defeat of Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday. Influential midfielder Moises Caicedo will not be available after he was booked in the second half in North Carolina. Chelsea dominated the majority of the game, but failed to make the most of a succession of chances in the first half. Marc Cucurella curled a shot around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin but Antonio Silva reacted quickly to head off the line. Trubin then tipped an effort round the post from Cole Palmer before smothering another attempt from Cucurella. A rare attack from Benfica was thwarted when James blocked an Andreas Schjelderup shot but Palmer was similarly frustrated by the impressive Silva at the other end. Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half but a Palmer cross was deflected away from goal by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo drove wide. Chelsea finally got the reward their superiority deserved as James chanced his arm from a set-piece on 64 minutes. The Blues skipper appeared to be lining up to cross from wide on the left but instead whipped a curling right-foot shot over the two-man wall and inside the near post. Benfica tried to respond and Evangelos Pavlidis appealed for a penalty after a tussle with Benoit Badiashile but nothing was given. Liam Delap put the ball in the net for Chelsea but was flagged offside. The game had largely been played in sweltering heat, but as a storm neared in the closing minutes, play was suspended. It became the latest of a series of games in the tournament to be paused due to the weather. The players were pictured during the enforced break kicking a ball and exercising in the dressing room. The stoppage worked to Benfica's benefit as they won a penalty when Otamendi's nod down brushed the arm of Malo Gusto and was harshly ruled as a penalty. Di Maria made no mistake from the spot – his fourth successful penalty of the tournament – to force extra-time. Benfica were reduced to 10 men when Prestianni received a second booking for a foul on Levi Colwill. Chelsea took control and went close when Palmer had a shot saved by Trubin, but Sanchez needed to be alert to deny Di Maria moments later. Nkunku broke through when he struck at the second attempt after an initial effort was blocked by Otamendi and Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added gloss to the scoreline.
