ES Tunis no match for Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku (R) of Chelsea in action against Mohamed Wael Derbali (L), of Esperance De Tunisie during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Esperance de Tunis and Chelsea in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 24 June 2025. EPA/WILL OLIVER
by Staff Reporter
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025. 10:21
ES Tunis’ Club World Cup adventure has come to an end after they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 25.
Enzo Maresca’s side crucially struck twice in first half stoppage time courtesy of goals from Tosin and new signing Liam Delap before Tyrique George sealed the comfortable victory at the death.
The match had a bearing on who would qualify for the round of 16 as the two teams were tied on three points, with Flamengo already assured of top spot in Group D.
The Blues bossed proceedings in Philly and threatened after just four minutes when Benoit Badiashile glanced a near-post header just wide of the right upright from a corner.
They had eight attempts on goal in the first half and their dominance was finally rewarded in the third minute of added time as Tosin directed a header into the bottom right corner of the net from Enzo Fernandez’s clipped free-kick.
The Blood and Gold were clearly unnerved by conceding just before half-time and Chelsea took full advantage to double their lead two minutes later. Fernandez was the provider once more with a clever pass to Delap, who beat two players on the edge of the box before beating a flat-footed Bechir Ben Said with quick footwork.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute after Andrey Santos’ shot from range struck the hand of Yassine Meriah inside the 18-yard area, but the referee overturned his decision following a VAR review.
Josh Acheampong was denied by Ben Said from a tight angle from the left deep into stoppage time, however, the goalkeeper was at fault for the Blues’ third goal soon afterwards when he got two hands to George’s strike from the top of the D which spun into the net.
The West Londoners will now face Benfica in the first round of the knockout stages at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday, June 28.
ES Tunis (0) 0
Chelsea (2) 3 (Tosin 45+3′, Delap 45+5′, George 90+7′)