Enzo Maresca’s side came into the knockout stages of the Club World Cup with a point to prove after a mixed group stage, and after almost five hours of football in Charlotte, North Carolina, they did just that. A weather warning prompted a two-hour delay to the game with 86 minutes on the clock and the Blues leading 1-0 thanks to Reece James’ free kick, but when play restarted, Benfica were given a penalty at the death with Malo Gusto adjudged to have handled a Nicolas Otamendi knockdown.
Angel Di Maria netted the spot-kick, forcing an extra half-hour, but the pendulum swung in Chelsea’s favour just two minutes into the additional 30 minutes, as substitute Gianluca Prestianni saw red for a challenge on Cole Palmer that earned him a second yellow card. After that, Chelsea finally made their man advantage count as Christopher Nkunku bundled home to eke them back in front.
Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made the scoreline look healthier in the dying embers as Benfica looked run ragged. Chelsea will face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea vs Benfica latest news
- GOAL! Chelsea 4-1 Benfica - Dewsbury-Hall nets cheeky chip
- GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Benfica - Neto seals victory
- GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Benfica - Nkunku nets in extra time
- RED CARD! Prestianni sent off for second yellow
- GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Benfica - Di Maria penalty levels at the death
- GAME SUSPENDED: Players taken off amidst storm concerns
- GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica - James free-kick puts Blues ahead
FT: Chelsea 4-1 Benfica
01:39 , Oli GentThere we have it. Chelsea are into the last eight, but it wasn’t without a bucketload of drama.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE Club World Cup action.
Dom Smith reports
01:38 , Oli Gent120 mins: That will seal it for Chelsea, who just about deserve to get through. Cultured finish from Neto, and the scoreline gets even more tasty from a Chelsea perspective. Dewsbury-Hall is all smiles. From one end to the other...
Chelsea 4-1 Benfica
01:35 , Oli Gent117 mins: Goal! There’s four, and it’s Dewsbury-Hall. Chelsea break ruthlessly with Nkunku and Palmer combining, before Dewsbury-Hall emerges on the scene to dink it delicately over Trubin.
Chelsea 3-1 Benfica
01:33 , Oli Gent114 mins: Goal! It’s three, and it’s Pedro Neto! Chelsea are heading into the quarters, as the Portuguese streaks clear with Benfica caught upfield. He has all the time in the world to pick his spot, and he does so with aplomb.
Dom Smith reports
01:30 , Oli Gent112 mins: What a moment for Nkunku, expected to leave the club this summer but potentially their hero here. He does well to lift the finish above the defender on the line and has Maresca running the length of the touchline.
Chelsea 2-1 Benfica
01:27 , Oli Gent109 mins: Goal! Chelsea are in front again, and it’s Nkunku this time! This crazy game takes another twist, as the Blues scramble themselves back into the lead. Caicedo wins it well and the Colombian follows his challenge to combine with Palmer and set up Nkunku, whose first effort is blocked by Otamendi, before the Frenchman stabs home at the second time of asking.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:26 , Oli Gent108 mins: It’s Chelsea’s turn to clamour for a penalty as Nkunku is bundled over in the box under a cross. Neto delivers, and the Frenchman has a slight touch on his shoulder by Dahl.
Kick off
01:23 , Oli Gent106 mins: We’re back underway. Final 15.
HT, ET: Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:21 , Oli GentHalf time in extra time. Nothing to separate these sides. What can Maresca’s side muster?
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:19 , Oli Gent105 mins: What a save! Trubin to the rescue for Benfica once more as Palmer lines one up, and the Ukrainian palms it away. The Benfica counter is on, as Di Maria races up the pitch and takes aim, but Sanchez stops him.
Dom Smith reports
01:18 , Oli Gent104 mins: No real rhythm here, is there. A very bitty first half of extra time, with lots of stoppages and neither team in any rush to take free-kicks or goal-kicks swiftly.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:16 , Oli Gent102 mins: Levi Colwill is shown a yellow for petulant protests.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:14 , Oli Gent100 mins: Chance! Di Maria races clear with Chelsea caught upfield. The Argentine enters the box and looks to square for Belotti, but Colwill gets across to block.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:11 , Oli Gent96 mins: Cole Palmer was also booked in that melee for his reaction to the Prestianni challenge.
Meanwhile, Belotti streaks away, with Akturkoglu in support to his left. The Turk gets the pass, but his finish is tame and straight at Sanchez.
Dom Smith reports
01:08 , Oli Gent94 mins: Well, Prestianni has totally lost his head there, shoving Cole Palmer after having already been shown a second yellow card. 10 men for Benfica now. An advantage for Chelsea.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:07 , Oli Gent92 mins: Red card! Benfica are down to 10, and Prestianni is shown a second yellow!
The substitute is sent for an early (late) bath for a lunge on Cole Palmer. He had been booked at the end of regulation time, so he sees his second caution to earn his marching orders.
Kick off
01:05 , Oli Gent91 mins: Extra time is back underway.
FT: Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:03 , Oli GentWow. There’s the full-time whistle.
We’ve got another half-hour to play.
Dom Smith reports
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:57 , Oli Gent90+5 mins: It's as cool as you like from Angel Di Maria, and for Chelsea, this has been a nightmare restart to the game after the weather delay.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:57 , Oli Gent90+4 mins: Goal! They are level right at the death, and Di Maria rolls it to the opposite side of Sanchez! Extra time beckons.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:55 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: VAR are checking a possible penalty as Gusto is ruled to have handled a knockdown! The Frenchman has his arms above his head as the header from Otamendi hits his arm, and the Benfica players scream for a spot-kick! The referee takes a glance at the monitor, and gives the penalty.
Dom Smith reports
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:53 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: Angel Di Maria running the show since the restart. Benfica players seem to know he's the one leading their pursuit of an equaliser, too.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:53 , Oli Gent90+1 mins: Another free kick in a promising position for Benfica as Di Maria is clever and buys the foul off Caicedo. Chance.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:52 , Oli Gent90 mins: Six added minutes.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:50 , Oli Gent89 mins: Free kick, Benfica. A chance to toss the ball into the box for the Portuguese side, as Akturkoglu is chopped down midway into the Chelsea half, but the flag is up.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:49 , Oli Gent88 mins: The Blues are in a back five, just looking to see this game out. Neto is at right wing-back, with Chalobah dropping into the central defensive trio.
Dom Smith reports
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:48 , Oli Gent87 mins: Interesting to see Tosin Adarabioyo, the substitute, leading the team talk with the Chelsea players there. You'd guess it was something like "Don't let this slip now, lads", but what do I know?
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:48 , Oli Gent86 mins: We’re back underway!
Substitutions
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:47 , Oli GentTrevor Chalobah is on for Romeo Lavia, while Joao Veloso and Tiago Gouveia are on for Benfica.
Fans are coming back
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:47 , Oli GentThat is a surprise!
Some supporters are making their way back to their seats, and the players are stripped and ready to go.
There is movement!
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:40 , Oli GentThe players and camera crews are being allowed back onto the Bank of America Stadium pitch.
The two sides will get a seven minute warm-up before playing the final moments of the match.
All the fans have gone. It remains very unlikely that any will be let back into the stands.
Staying entertained
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:39 , Oli GentThe Blues’ goalkeepers are playing games of keepy-uppy in the Chelsea dressing room.
Meanwhile, in the dressing room. pic.twitter.com/UZPsVkNvHr
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 28, 2025
Chelsea players are staying warm
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:38 , Oli GentThe Chelsea players are on exercise bikes in the dressing room as they wait for updates.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 28, 2025
More updates
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:04 , Oli GentThere is an indication that players could be out in less than 20 minutes, with a 15 minute warm-up ahead of the remaining four minutes.
Cole Palmer emerged out of the tunnel to ask what was going on, as the weather clears. It is still very hot, however.
The signs are promising, with the sun shining and a rainbow forming over Bank of America Stadium.
25 minutes?
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:01 , Oli GentThere is a muttering that play could resume in 25 minutes. Don’t hold your breath...
Another half-hour to wait
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:42 , Oli GentUpdates coming out of the Bank of America Stadium indicate that there will be another half-hour to wait before the players return to the pitch.
The sun is out in Charlotte, but there is still concern about the conditions.
Still no update
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:26 , Oli GentWe still don’t have an update on when the players will return to the field.
This is the sixth game to be suspended for weather concerns at this tournament, with the others being:
- Ulsan 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
- Pachuca 1-2 RB Salzburg
- Palmeiras 2-0 Al Ahly
- Benfica 6-0 Auckland City
- Auckland City 1-1 Boca Juniors
Play stopped - 40 minute delay!
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:58 , Oli GentThe match has been suspended for 40 minutes, with both sets of teams back in their dressing rooms amidst concerns over a looming storm.
Fans have also been told to take cover.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:54 , Oli GentWell, that's a momentum killer if ever there was one! Minutes left, and Chelsea are told they can't get the job done quite yet. Understandable caution from the referee, but hugely frustrating.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:52 , Oli Gent86 mins: What’s going on here! Because of some impending bad weather, the referee has decided to take the players off the pitch! The Chelsea players aren’t happy...
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:4883 mins: Delap’s withdrawal now has Palmer up front as a false nine. Neto is still off the right, with Nkunku on the left. Dewsbury-Hall is where Fernandez was, as the number 10.
Meanwhile, Neto does Kokcu all ends up tight to the right touchline, and the Turk is booked for a lazy, late challenge.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:47 , Oli Gent82 mins: There are three changes for the Blues as we enter the last eight minutes.
James, Fernandez, and Delap are withdrawn, with Malo Gusto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Christopher Nkunku all on.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:46 , Oli Gent81 mins: It won't count, but it bodes well quite how confidently Delap took that! Scored a fine, fine goal against ES Tunis, of course. Off he comes...
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:45 , Oli Gent80 mins: No goal! There is a cheer from the Chelsea contingent in Charlotte as Delap peels off the shoulder and in behind once more. He races onto the through ball and rounds Trubin, finishing neatly, but the flag is raised!
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:44 , Oli Gent78 mins: What a chance! Brilliant work down the right from Aursnes to skin Cucurella. He finds Prestianni in space in the box, but the substitute scuffs the effort and fluffs the opportunity!
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:42 , Oli Gent76 mins: He may well have been selfless in his play, but there hasn’t really been a real sight of goal for Delap.
He’s had limited service despite some intelligent runs in behind, although Otamendi and Silva have patrolled the six-yard box ably for the Portuguese side.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:38 , Oli Gent73 mins: Another cooling break called by the referee.
A chance for Benfica to regroup before a big final quarter-hour for them.
What will Chelsea do, push for a second, or be content with what they have?
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:37 , Oli Gent72 mins: Delap has done a stellar job of selflessly running the channels, and his cut-back runs all the way through for Neto, who outmuscles Dahl on the right.
He darts infield, showing tricky feet, before picking out Palmer on the left. The England international looks up and strikes, but he drags the effort wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:35 , Oli Gent70 mins: Changes afoot for both sides.
Tosin Adarabioyo replaces Badiashile, while Andrea Belotti comes on for the Portuguese side, alongside Prestianni. Pavlidis and Luis make way.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:34 , Oli Gent69 mins: Badiashile is down after his pursuit of Pavlidis as the Greek strode away from him. The Frenchman is getting treatment as two Benfica changes are getting ready. Badiashile signals to the Chelsea bench that he needs to come off.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:31 , Oli Gent66 mins: Whether it does prove to or not, that is a goal worthy of winning any game. It's so audacious of James to take a shot from a free-kick of that angle - and outstanding to then find the required precision to pull it off. What a goal.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:30 , Oli GentGoal! 64 mins: Or, surprise him at his near post! Reece James with a superb piece of ingenuity, whipping the ball inside the woodwork to stun Trubin, who doesn’t expect the snap-shot. That was the moment Chelsea were looking for, 1-0!
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:2864 mins: Florentino Luis has his name taken after he goes through Cole Palmer in an attempt to win the ball. It’s a free kick for Chelsea on the angle off the left. This could be a good chance to test Trubin with an inswinging delivery, that just needs a slight touch to send it flying into the far corner.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:27 , Oli Gent63 mins: Potentially significant blow, that, for Chelsea. If they get through to the quarter-final, Caicedo will be suspended and will not play.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:2662 mins: The yellow card is out again, as Cucurella fouls Barreiro. Palmer and Caicedo are complaining, and it’s the latter who receives the booking. The Colombian would miss the quarter-final should Chelsea progress.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:2460 mins: Well, a slightly hairy moment for Robert Sanchez!
He was almost beaten by a cross that was goalbound, but gathered well. The Blues spending more time in the Benfica half now, though, and perhaps edging closer to the opening goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:23 , Oli Gent58 mins: Close! Sanchez is very nearly caught out by Aursnes, as the Chelsea ‘keeper expects the cross, stepping off his line. The full-back whips the ball towards the near post, and the Spaniard has to scramble backwards to keep it out.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:21 , Oli Gent55 mins: There seems to be an element of frustration creeping into the Chelsea players as they struggle to break the deadlock.
Maresca gestures for them to calm down and keep their composure, before he misses his mouth with his water bottle, drenching his front.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:16 , Oli Gent52 mins: Pavlidis is the first player in the referee’s book, as he doesn’t get the free kick he’s looking for in centre-field, and he berates the man in the middle, talking himself into a caution.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:15 , Oli Gent51 mins: Promising jinking run forward from Palmer there. Chelsea's no10 just starting to have a greater say on this round of 16 match, you feel. Caicedo has started this second half well too, and flashes just wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:14 , Oli Gent50 mins: The ball is worked into midfield for Caicedo, who has a yard of space. The midfielder sets himself and strikes from range, but it’s wide of the target.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:13 , Oli Gent48 mins: Close! Palmer flashes a ball across the box looking for Delap, who makes a run across the near post. Otamendi does really well to read it and divert it behind.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:11 , Oli Gent47 mins: There is a change for Benfica, with Kerem Akturkoglu replacing Andreas Schjelderup on the left flank.
Kick off
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:11 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway in North Carolina.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:53 , Oli GentThat's been quite a disappointing first-half showing from Chelsea. Not disastrous, certainly, but they have failed to lodge the opening goal and failed to produce clear-cut chances with any sort of regularity.
There have been one or two - two chances falling to Cucurella and well blocked - but the deadlock remains. It's no doubt pretty sweaty work out there, but they must take things up a notch or three after the break.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:52There’s the interval, and we’re goalless at the break. Chelsea have had the better of it, but Benfica are still dangerous on the break, as we’ve seen. Who will find that elusive opener?
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:49 , Oli Gent45+1 mins: Caicedo and Barreiro are both down writhing in pain after a collision. Caicedo looks to be holding his knee, as it looks as though the two midfielders slammed into one another.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:48 , Oli Gent45 mins: Three added minutes.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:46 , Oli Gent44 mins: Palmer showing his frustration, perhaps, as he keeps dropping extremely deep to receive the ball from Chelsea's backline...
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:4442 mins: It feels like only a matter of time now before Chelsea break the deadlock.
Most of their play is coming through Palmer and Cucurella - naturally - with the pair linking up at well as they look to target Aursnes. Di Maria is not helping his full-back defensively, allowing the Blues to run riot down that flank.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:41 , Oli Gent40 mins: Big chance! Cucurella breaks free down the left and advances into the area, bearing down on goal. Trubin begins to rush out to meet him, and does well to make himself big and keep the left-back out as the Spaniard aimed for the near post.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:40 , Oli Gent39 mins: Moises Caicedo is starting to find some space in midfield and Chelsea will hope that means enough time to pick a few incisive forward passes. Everything to this point has instead come through the left channel and particularly from Cole Palmer or Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:39 , Oli Gent38 mins: Delap is proving a nuisance up top for Chelsea. Otamendi and Silva are torn on whether to get tight to him or stand off.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:37 , Oli Gent36 mins: That cooling break needs to be a tactical reset for Chelsea, too. They've been decent enough in the final third but left themselves a little open to Benfica. Maresca and Chelsea now looking for a goal to show for their broad dominance.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:37 , Oli Gent34 mins: A nice ball between the lines by Caicedo into Palmer’s feet. The England international spins on a sixpence and drives with it for a couple of yards before letting a low effort fly from distance. There’s some power on it, but Trubin gathers well. A first sighting of goal for Chelsea’s talisman.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:34 , Oli Gent31 mins: The first cooling break of a sweltering afternoon in Charlotte. It’s fair to say that Chelsea have had the better of the early exchanges, but Benfica have shown that they are a threat going the other way. Di Maria is looking lively, while Pavlidis is trying to peel off the shoulders of Colwill and Badiashile to stretch the Blues’ backline.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:31 , Oli Gent29 mins: Cucurella is offering a threat down the Chelsea left, attacking the back post with Palmer more central. The left-back is surprising Aursnes, whose lack of defensive nous has shown a couple of times already.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:2826 mins: The pace of the game has slowed somewhat as the early adrenaline wears off.
Any nerves look to have been dispelled now, although there is still a ferocity and urgency in the Chelsea press.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:23 , Oli Gent22 mins: It's a fine piece of skill to evade the challenge from Cucurella, and then a good strike unfortunate to be blocked on the line. But Delap was just a little sluggish in the lead-up, and had a chance to square which he took too long on.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:23 , Oli Gent20 mins: Off the line! Chelsea are getting ever closer to the opening goal. Delap makes an intelligent run in behind, and is found by Fernandez. He feigns to shoot, before pulling it across the box. Cucurella is free and runs onto it, dummying to get away from the sliding Aursnes, and his right-footed effort is cleared off the line by Silva, who celebrates his clearance wildly!
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:21 , Oli Gent19 mins: Corner, Chelsea. The Blues continue their pressure as Fernandez peels into the right channel, shadowed by his compatriot Otamendi. He tries to deliver, but the Benfica captain blocks the cross. The resulting set piece is worked short to Palmer, who looks for an inswinger around the back to Colwill, but he overcooks it.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:20 , Oli Gent18 mins: Palmer is growing into the game in this free role. He darts towards the byline and looks to flash a cross into the corridor of uncertainty, but there’s no-one there to meet the delivery.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:17 , Oli Gent16 mins: Does feel there is a somewhat concerning amount of space for Benfica to flood into whenever they nick it and get at Chelsea. The Blues are building up as a three but there's lots of space on the flanks which Benfica are looking to exploit when they lose it.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:1614 mins: Appeals for a penalty from Benfica! Di Maria is floating off his right flank to create, and he chips a delightful ball over the top for Schjelderup to chase. James looks to shepherd it back for Sanchez to claim, and he just about holds off the Norwegian winger, who is hounding him from behind.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:14 , Oli Gent12 mins: Danger for Chelsea as Badiashile is sloppy on the ball, and is robbed on the edge of his own penalty area.
Pavlidis seizes upon the scraps, with the Greek striker looking to steamroller his way into the box, but Levi Colwill steps across to block his route to goal and reprieve his central defensive partner.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:12 , Oli Gent9 mins: A tactical observation from a Chelsea perspective. It looks to be a 3-2-5 shape in possession for the Blues, with James tucking in as an auxiliary third centre-back.
It means that Cucurella can push on higher up the left, while Neto maintains the width down the right. Palmer is moving more centrally, afforded the freedom of the left half-space to evade Benfica’s tight marking system.
Dom Smith reports
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:10 , Oli Gent7 mins: Decent start from Chelsea, who again find themselves battling not only their opponents but the elements. It's 33 degrees in Charlotte today.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:08 , Oli Gent5 mins: Offside! Aursnes and Di Maria are linking up nicely down the Benfica right, with the makeshift right-back underlapping effectively to double-team Cucurella.
The Spaniard is outnumbered in the channel as Di Maria looks to dink a ball into the path of his full-back, who had darted into the area. It seemed as though Aursnes might have a chance to take the ball down and strike or lay it off for someone else to have a crack, but the flag finally is raised against him.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:06 , Oli Gent4 mins: Neto off the right thus has Palmer on the left - something we haven’t seen too much of.
Fernandez is in the number 10 hole behind Delap, as Palmer is given a free role to maraud wherever he pleases.
Chelsea are looking for that clipped ball over the top for Delap, who is sitting on the shoulder of the last man.
In this scenario, it’s Silva, who just about gets a toe in after it seemed that the England striker had outmuscled him entering the box!
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:04 , Oli Gent2 mins: Pedro Neto has started on the right flank, and looks to get at Dahl early. He cuts onto his left and lets fly, stinging the palms of Trubin. Positive start from Maresca’s men.
Kick off
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:03 , Oli Gent1 min: We are underway!
The players are out
Saturday 28 June 2025 20:57 , Oli GentBenfica take to the field first, as the Blues follow, with bigger cheers from the North Carolina crowd.
Chelsea agree deal for Gittens
Saturday 28 June 2025 20:47 , Oli GentJamie Gittens will become a Chelsea player, Standard Sport understands.
The Borussia Dortmund winger has agreed a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge, with the fee believed to be £55million plus add-ons.
Benfica line-up analysed
Saturday 28 June 2025 20:30 , Oli GentAs for Bruno Lage’s side, it’s not quite the defensive five-back that we were expecting.
Instead, he has laid down his attacking intent by plumping for what looks to be a 4-3-3.
Natural midfielder Frederik Aursnes will energetically bomb up and down the right flank from full-back, looking to support Angel di Maria on the overlap as the Argentine cuts in onto his stronger left foot.
On the other flank, Samuel Dahl and Andreas Schjelderup complete a Scandinavian duo down the left, with Schjelderup, the Norwegian winger, a tricky customer on the ball. Reece James will need to stay tight to him.
In the engine room, there are some familiar faces that have previously been linked with moves to the Premier League. Florentino Luis is the reliable anchor man, breaking up play diligently and starting counter attacks with short, sharp passes, while Turkish international Orkun Kokcu is the playmaker, looking to play progressive, penetrative passes through the lines to pierce the Blues’ backline.
Leandro Barreiro is the workhorse; the ball-winner that will not give Chelsea’s midfielders any time to dally, looking to pinch the ball high up the pitch.
Evangelos Pavlidis leads the line, capable of having his back to goal and receiving Kokcu’s passes into feet with central defenders breathing down his neck, or peeling off the last defender and spinning in behind. He represents a real goal threat that Maresca and his men must be wary of.
Chelsea line-up analysed
Saturday 28 June 2025 20:20 , Oli GentIt’s a strong 4-2-3-1 from Maresca tonight as he makes seven changes from the 3-0 win over Tunis.
All his big hitters return to the fold, and we could see Cole Palmer off the right, with Enzo Fernandez in the side alongside Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
One would expect the Argentine, who is facing his former club, to occupy a more advanced position ahead of Caicedo and Lavia who will sit, although one or the other will have licence to support attacking build-up.
Reece James is back in his natural right-back berth after a dismal midfield experiment against Flamengo, and Marc Cucurella returns on the opposite flank.
It’s Pedro Neto wide left and Liam Delap through the middle, with the latter looking to pin Nicolas Otamendi and Antonio Silva to create space for the attacking midfield trident to weave their magic on the edge of the penalty area.
Benfica confirmed line-up
Saturday 28 June 2025 20:10 , Oli GentConfirmed Benfica XI: Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Luis, Barreiro, Kokcu; Schjelderup, Pavlidis, Di Maria.
Subs: Akturkoglu, Gouveia, Bajrami, Belotti, Oliveira, Fernandez, Prioste, Veloso, Luis, Prestianni, Rego, Bruma, Wynder, Ferreira, Santos.
Chelsea confirmed line-up
Saturday 28 June 2025 19:48 , Oli GentChelsea confirmed XI: Sanchez; James, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Delap.
Subs: Penders, Slonina, Tosin, Sarr, Gusto, Chalobah, Anselmino, Acheampong, Essugo, Santos, Dewsbury-Hall, Nkunku, Madueke, George, Guiu
Can Chelsea register new signings for Club World Cup?
Saturday 28 June 2025 19:40 , Oli GentYes, they can.
There is a window that closes on July 3 that allows competing clubs to register new players into their tournament cohorts.
As such, Chelsea will hope to complete the signing of Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens before the close of the tournament, while reports also claim that they hold an interest in Brighton’s Joao Pedro.
Tonight's venue
Saturday 28 June 2025 19:30 , Oli GentThis evening’s affair will be hosted at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
It is the home of Charlotte FC, the MLS outfit, and NFL franchise the Carolina Panthers.
Opened in 1996, it holds a capacity of 74,867.
Blues receive Gittens boost
Saturday 28 June 2025 19:20 , Oli GentThere is some good news for Chelsea ahead of kick-off this evening.
Reports claim that Jamie Gittens, their no1 target to strengthen their left-wing berth, will join the west Londoners on a seven-year deal.
Fabrice Hawkins reports that a bid has been accepted by Borussia Dortmund for the forward.
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