In a thrilling encounter at the FIFA Club World Cup on Friday, Flamengo came from behind to defeat Chelsea 3-1, extending the dominance of South American teams in the tournament. A vibrant display by the Brazilian side, fueled by their passionate fans among the 54,019-strong crowd, overturned an early deficit to secure a memorable victory.
Chelsea seized an early advantage with a goal from Pedro Neto, setting the tone for what seemed to be a challenging game for Flamengo. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Flamengo struggled to break through a resilient Chelsea defense in the first half.
The turning point came in the 56th minute when substitute Bruno Henrique entered the fray. His immediate impact was palpable as he equalized just after the hour mark. Henrique then turned provider, setting up Danilo to put Flamengo ahead 2-1, igniting celebrations among the Brazilian supporters.
Chelsea’s hopes of a comeback dimmed when substitute Nicolas Jackson received a straight red card in the 68th minute, leaving the English side with ten men. Flamengo capitalized on the advantage, and Wallace Yan, another substitute, sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike, cementing the scoreline at 3-1.
“It was a special day for me and our club,” said Flamengo coach Filipe Luis, who previously played for Chelsea. “We knew we would have chances against Chelsea because we have one way to play and they know how to follow that path.”
With this win, Flamengo has secured two victories from two matches in the tournament. Their advancement to the last 16 from Group D was confirmed later when Esperance of Tunisia defeated Los Angeles FC 1-0.
Despite the triumph, Luis urged caution as his team looks ahead. “I am really happy with the game, but it is just one win. Now we have to think about the next game and try to go through this group phase because it is not easy,” he added.
Chelsea, while unable to replicate their opening victory over LAFC, still have a chance to progress to the knockout stage. Their upcoming decisive group match against Esperance will determine their fate in the tournament.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reflected on the defeat, stating, “Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a very short period, a very short moment, and then the red card, and then I think it’s very complicated to come back in the game. We tried, but congratulations to them. I think they deserved to win.”
The match showcased the intensity and unpredictability of the FIFA Club World Cup, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming fixtures as teams vie for the prestigious title.
