Chelsea blitzed through the Club World Cup Round of 16 after a 4-1 thrashing of Benfica in Charlotte. It was a game that had everything from a lightning storm delay to four extra-time goals. The Bank of America Stadium encounter lasted four hours from kickoff. Still, it was wrapped up with the Premier League side happy to be mulling over a potential clash with Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
The match was ignited at the 64-minute mark when Reece James thought he would attempt the impossible. It was a free kick down the left wing, and everyone expected him to put it into the area for a header. However, he curled it inch-perfect beyond Anatolii Trubin, who was off his line, at the near post.
But when the Blues believed they were peering through to victory, the storm arrived, bringing nearly a two-hour standstill with minutes remaining on the clock. Players were removed from the field, and supporters were led from the stands while lightning illuminated the distant sky.
When they returned to the pitch, there were four minutes left to play, and for Chelsea to win. However, it was a win to fight for. Benfica were awarded a penalty deep into injury time as Malo Gusto was deemed to have handled the ball. Ángel Di María swept it down the middle with style as Robert Sánchez dived, and the game was taken into extra time at 1-1.
Chelsea Came Unstuck in Extra Time
Extra time, however, was a Chelsea show. Prestianni picked up a red card in the 92nd minute, and everything turned upside down for the Portuguese giants. In the 108th minute, Christopher Nkunku gave the Blues good reason to celebrate as he powered a rebound into the goal from a yard out.
Benfica pushed bodies forward, but that only left space for more damage. In the 115th minute, Pedro Neto fooled the keeper and added his name to the scoresheet. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall did the same two minutes later to seal a 4-1 win for Enzo Maresca’s side.
The Blues will play Palmeiras in the quarter-finals next, and they will go into the game as strong favorites next weekend.