Charlotte, NC — In a dramatic FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 clash delayed by lightning, Chelsea surged past Benfica with a 4-1 victory at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday. The match, which spanned nearly five hours due to a two-hour weather interruption, saw Chelsea net three goals in extra time to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
The scoring opened in the 64th minute when Reece James curled a stunning free kick into the net, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead. As the clock neared full time, the game was halted for two hours because of a lightning storm, leaving fans and players alike in suspense.
Upon resumption, drama intensified in stoppage time when Chelsea’s Malo Gusto was penalized for a handball in the box. Benfica’s Ángel Di María stepped up to convert the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1 and forcing the game into extra time.
Benfica’s hopes dimmed when Gianluca Prestianni received a red card in the 105th minute, reducing his team to ten men. Chelsea capitalized quickly; in the 108th minute, Moisés Caicedo’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin, but Christopher Nkunku pounced on the rebound, firing it into the top right corner to break the deadlock.
The floodgates opened as Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added two more goals, sealing a commanding victory for the Blues. Neto slotted home a precise shot after a swift counterattack, while Dewsbury-Hall’s long-range effort left the keeper stranded.
“The team showed incredible resilience tonight,” said Chelsea’s manager. “After the delay and the late equalizer, our players remained focused and delivered when it mattered most.”
With this win, Chelsea advances to face Palmeiras in the quarterfinals on Friday in Philadelphia. Palmeiras earned their spot earlier in the day by defeating Botafogo 1-0 in another intense match.
Palmeiras Edge Past Botafogo in Extra Time
In Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Palmeiras secured a 1-0 victory over Brazilian rivals Botafogo thanks to an extra-time goal from Paulinho. The forward danced through two defenders in the 100th minute before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Despite playing with ten men after Gustavo Gómez received a second yellow card late in extra time, Palmeiras held on as Botafogo pressed for an equalizer. The spirited crowd of 33,657 fans added to the electrifying atmosphere, showcasing the global passion for football.
The stage is now set for an exciting quarterfinal between Chelsea and Palmeiras, promising more thrills in the FIFA Club World Cup.
