**_ATLANTA_**: Liam Delap made his debut as Chelsea won their Club World Cup opener against Los Angeles FC in front of thousands of empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Pedro Neto’s near-post shot after being sent clear in the first half was followed by a close-range tap-in from Enzo Fernandez, from a fine cross by striker Delap. However, the major talking point was an official attendance of just 22,137 fans inside the 71,000-seater arena.
Those in the ground witnessed a laboured performance from the Blues, but ultimately finishing quality sealed victory for the Premier League side, with Delap exciting on his debut after his £30m move from Ipswich this month.
Underdogs LAFC, featuring World Cup-winning French duo Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris, caused problems but could not take chances which fell to Denis Bouanga and substitute David Martinez.
Midfielder Dario Essugo also made his debut for Chelsea, who have now won eight of their past nine matches, including the Conference League final.
A large number of locals seemed oblivious to a major international club match at their stadium this week, with a Power Rangers convention and UFC event vying for their attention.
High ticket prices, minimal local marketing efforts and the game kicking off at 3pm local time on a weekday were cited as other factors behind the poor turnout.
Yet more than 70,000 supporters watched Chelsea face Newcastle in a friendly at this stadium two years ago.
**Botafogo hold out**
Brazilian and South American champions Botafogo survived a late onslaught to beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their Group B opener of the Club World Cup at Lumen Field.
First-half headers from Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus gave the visitors a deserved lead but a second-half deflected effort from Cristian Roldan handed the hosts a lifeline.
Despite coming under late pressure, Botafogo held firm to secure the three points, with goalkeeper John making a brilliant save deep in added time to deny Seattle an equaliser.
However, he was powerless to stop Cunha’s opener in the 27th minute. A clumsy foul by Nouhou on Artur near the edge of the box gave Telles the chance to deliver a pinpoint free kick, which 20-year-old Cunha headed home.
Igor Jesus doubled the lead just before halftime when Vitinho’s long cross from the right found the 24-year-old and he outjumped the Seattle defence to direct a towering header into the bottom corner.
Ryan Kent missed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back for Seattle in the 55th minute but somehow missed from close range.
The Sounders were rewarded for their efforts in the 75th minute when Roldan’s header deflected off Igor Jesus to wrongfoot John and nestle into the net.
The goal energised the hosts and they dominated the final stages but could not find the equaliser, with John’s reflex save in added time preserving Botafogo’s narrow victory.
Botafogo are second in Group B on goal difference, following Paris St Germain’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid earlier on Sunday. They next take on PSG while Seattle face Atletico on Thursday.
####