Chelsea are through to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final after beating Benfica at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The Blues will be playing Palmeiras in the next round after beating Benfica in an extraordinary match on Saturday evening. Reece James gave the west Londoners the lead in the second-half with a clever free-kick and it looked as if his side would hold on and secure their spot in the last eight.
However, with around four minutes of normal time left to play, the match was suspended due to adverse weather conditions. With a thunderstorm surrounding the Bank of America Stadium, the players and supporters were told to seek shelter.
There was then a two-hour delay before play resumed. Disastrously, Chelsea conceded deep into stoppage time. Angel Di Maria converted from the penalty spot after Malo Gusto was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.
The match went to extra-time and Benfica had to play the majority of that with 10 men. Gianluca Prestianni was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Levi Colwill and Chelsea then seized the initiative.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Club World Cup on DAZN
Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN
The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG andBayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.
Christopher Nkunku scored to regain Chelsea's advantage before goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put the game beyond any doubt. The Blues will now take on Brazilian side Palmeiras on Friday, July 4 for a place in the semi-final.
As a result of progressing to the last eight of the revamped competition in the United States, the club have now pocketed £9.5million. FIFA's generous prize money for the tournament sees those who reach the quarter-finals take home $13.125million (£9.5million) and there is much more money on the line the further Chelsea may go.
Should the Blues reach the semi-final of the Club World Cup, a further $21million (£15.3million) will be added to the fund. Reaching the final will get a club $30million (£21.86million) and winning the whole competition sees an injection of $40million (£29.15million).
Such a cash injection is welcome news with Chelsea very active in the summer transfer market. football.london understands the Blues have agreed a £55million deal with Borussia Dortmund for Jamie Gittens after weeks of negotiations between the two clubs.
Gittens completed the first part of his medical on Saturday evening and will sign a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.