Chelsea Defeat Benfica in Extra Time After Two-Hour Weather Delay
Chelsea Overcome 10-Man Benfica in Dramatic Club World Cup Clash Delayed by Storms
Chelsea secured a dramatic victory over 10-man Benfica with three late extra-time goals in a chaotic Club World Cup last-16 match that stretched over four hours and included a nearly two-hour delay due to extreme weather conditions.
The match, held at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw Chelsea progress to the quarter-finals after a 4-1 win, thanks to extra-time goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Initially, it appeared that Reece James’ stunning 64th-minute near-post free-kick would be enough to seal a narrow win for the Premier League giants. However, just four minutes from full time, the game was suspended due to lightning and thunderstorms in the area. Players and officials were forced off the pitch, and play resumed nearly two hours later.
Upon returning, Benfica made an immediate impact. Veteran winger Ángel Di María, playing his final game for the Portuguese side, converted a penalty in the 94th minute after a Chelsea handball, leveling the score at 1-1 and sending the match into extra time.
Benfica’s chances suffered a major blow shortly after, when 18-year-old Gianluca Prestianni received two yellow cards in quick succession—one in the 96th minute and another at the start of extra time—leading to his dismissal.
Chelsea capitalized on the numerical advantage, dominating the latter stages of extra time. Nkunku, Neto, and Dewsbury-Hall found the net in quick succession to ensure Chelsea’s passage to the quarter-finals, where they will face Brazilian champions Palmeiras on Friday in Philadelphia.
The weather-interrupted fixture was watched by a modest crowd of 25,929 in the 74,867-capacity stadium. The intense battle came at a cost for Chelsea, as defender Benoit Badiashile left the venue on crutches with an apparent injury, and midfielder Moisés Caicedo received his second yellow card of the tournament, ruling him out of the next match.
Despite the challenges, Chelsea’s resilience and squad depth proved decisive in one of the most eventful matches of the tournament so far.
