Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory against Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday. Despite a sparse crowd, the match showcased Chelsea’s dominance on the field.
LAFC started brightly, pressing the English side in the opening minutes. However, after the first quarter-hour, Chelsea began to assert control in the midfield. The dynamic duo of Cole Palmer, donning the number 10 jersey, and Nicolas Jackson orchestrated several threatening plays, with Palmer curling a notable effort just after the 20-minute mark.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Jackson delivered a clever pass to Pedro Neto. Neto skillfully evaded his defender before slotting the ball past LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, putting Chelsea ahead. Shortly after, LAFC’s Nathan Ordaz was forced off due to a head injury, replaced by David Martinez.
Jackson nearly doubled the lead with a powerful header that was narrowly deflected wide. LAFC’s Denis Bouanga responded with a moment of brilliance, forcing a solid save from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez in one of LAFC’s few attacking highlights.
In the 64th minute, Chelsea introduced summer signing Liam Delap, who made an immediate impact. After LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead missed a chance, Delap whipped in a precise cross for Fernandez, who tapped in from close range to secure the 2-0 victory for Chelsea.
The win marks a strong start for Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup, showcasing the team’s depth and the promising talent of their new signings.
