Chelsea overcame Benfica and a two-hour weather delay to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
Enzo Maresca’s side had appeared set for the last eight after Reece James’s free kick had given them a second-half lead in Charlotte, only for the game to be halted four minutes from time due to lightning in the area. A long pause disrupted their rhythm and allowed Benfica to equalise from the penalty spot late on, Angel Di Maria cool and calm from 12 yards after Malo Gusto had handled.
But Benfica were rocked moments into extra time by the sending off of Gianluca Prestianni for a second bookable offence, and Chelsea eventually romped home, goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall adding gloss to the result as the Portuguese side wilted late on. Chelsea will face Palmeiras, who earlier edged fellow Brazilian club Botafogo, in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday.
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Chelsea vs Benfica live
- Chelsea progress past Benfica into Club World Cup quarter-finals
- Quarter-final was heavily delayed by lightning strikes in the area
- GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 Benfica (Reece James, 64 minutes)
- PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
- Play finally resumes after two-hour delay
- GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 BENFICA (Angel Di Maria, 90 + 5 minutes)
- FULL TIME: Benfica 1-1 Chelsea
- GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 Benfica (Christopher Nkunku, 109 minutes)
- GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 Benfica (Pedro Neto, 115 minutes)
- FULL TIME: Chelsea 4-1 Benfica
‘It’s a joke’: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca rages at two-hour weather delay at Club World Cup
09:03 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea manager Enzo Maresca called the two-hour weather delay that disrupted his team’s Club World Cup win over Benfica as a “joke” and “not football”.
The Blues eventually defeated Benfica 4-1 in extra-time to reach the quarter-finals but the match took four hours and 39 minutes to complete after a storm warming in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chelsea were leading 1-0 when players were asked to leave the pitch. Both teams were taken back inside and were pictured riding exercise bikes and kicking balls in the dressing room during the interruption.
‘It’s a joke’: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca rages at two-hour weather delay
FULL TIME: Chelsea 4-1 Benfica
01:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleDefeat in Charlotte means Angel Di Maria’s Benfica career is at an end - he’s off to boyhood club Rosario Central. So near but so far for the veteran Argentine, who snatched late hope for his side with an ice-cool penalty in stoppage time. It was, however, not to be.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 4-1 Benfica
01:44 , Harry Latham-CoylePhew. After the best part of five hours, a very strange game of football is at last at an end, with Chelsea progressing past Benfica and into the Club World Cup quarter-finals. A long weather delay, a controversial penalty, a sending off, and a fair bit of extra-time drama - that really livened up after some rather more dour stuff earlier on.
It’ll be Palmeiras in Philadelphia next for Enzo Maresca’s men, who will surely be focussed on recovery over the next couple of days.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 4-1 Benfica
01:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Chelsea 4-1 Benfica, 120 minutes
01:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne more minute...
Chelsea 4-1 Benfica, 118 minutes
01:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleA Chelsea debut for Aaron Anselmino, stepping in for Levi Colwill for these final few skirmishes.
GOAL! CHELSEA 4-1 Benfica (Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 117 minutes)
01:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother! Benfica’s spirit is snapped, and there just aren’t the bodies back when Robert Sanchez launches a kick long having claimed the latest cross. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall holds off Nicolas Otamendi, about the only one bothering to put in the effort to try to get back, and deftly dinks over Anatoliy Trubin to extend Chelsea’s advantage.
GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 Benfica (Pedro Neto, 115 minutes)
01:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat will do it! Chelsea have a third through Pedro Neto and are surely bound for the quarter-finals.
Another turnover in the centre circle leaves Nicolas Otamendi hopelessly exposed as Chelsea’s forwards pour into the Benfica half. Pedro Neto has too much gas for the veteran defender, and shows a cool head to finish past the onrushing keeper to score for the third successive game.
Chelsea 2-1 Benfica, 112 minutes
01:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleBenfica won’t go away. Joao Veloso burns by Marc Cucurella and forces Tosin Adarabioyo to concede a corner.
Robert Sanchez comes confidently to claim.
Chelsea 2-1 Benfica, 111 minutes
01:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow Chelsea just have to keep the ball for 10 minutes against 10 men. Can they succeed, though, in closing this out after failing to do so earlier?
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 Benfica (Christopher Nkunku, 109 minutes)
01:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut Chelsea strike to lead again! Christopher Nkunku pops up with what could be the winner.
Benfica give the ball away cheaply in midfield and Cole Palmer and co. race away. Moises Caicedo is sent onwards and his shot squirms through the grasp of Anatoliy Trubin. Nicolas Otamendi somehow denies Nkunku at the first attempt but he is helpless lying prone as the Frenchman lifts his second effort into the roof of the net.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 107 minutes
01:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow it is Chelsea roaring for a penalty. Cole Palmer’s cross appears destined for Christopher Nkunku until the French forward hits the deck. Is there anything it? I don’t think so, a slight brush off his shoulders not enough to send him tumbling.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 106 minutes
01:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleOnce more unto the breach.
HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Benfica
01:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 105 minutes
01:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne minute added.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 104 minutes
01:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnatoliy Trubin is in the way again! How grateful Benfica have been for their goalkeeper today, a super slick move ending in a Cole Palmer shot that Trubin beats away.
The Portuguese side break at speed and Robert Sanchez is equal to a low Angel Di Maria curler.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 103 minutes
01:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleEnzo Maresca wears a concerned look, the Chelsea boss puffing out his cheeks and pacing back and forth. His side up the urgency in response, earning a corner.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 100 minutes
01:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlmost something special from Angel Di Maria, scorching away down the right and then very nearly threading the needle between two pairs of Chelsea legs through to Andrea Belotti. The second set of lower limbs clamp in time to prevent the ball’s progress with the goal otherwise at the Italian’s mercy.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 99 minutes
01:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 96 minutes
01:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleA real chance for Kerem Akturkoglu but the Turkish midfielder can only curl into the breadbasket of Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 95 minutes
01:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSurely Chelsea can wear Benfica down now? Part of the problem, though, is that many of their best attacking players are off. Cole Palmer is still out there, mind, though he’s not been at all at his best tonight.
RED CARD! Gianluca Prestianni is sent off! Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 92 minutes
01:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo bookings and Gianluca Prestianni is dismissed! Wow - a huge blow for Benfica, the replacement producing a real lunge on Levi Colwill having been booked earlier in the aftermath of the Angel Di Maria penalty. Off he will go - Benfica are down to 10!
EXTRA TIME KICK OFF!
01:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe have resumed. Again.
FT: Benfica 1-1 Chelsea - on to extra time
01:04 , Harry Latham-CoylePalmeiras are probably rather enjoying this. They face the winners in Philadelphia on Friday.
FT; Benfica 1-1 Chelsea
01:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleFantastic. More football.
FULL TIME: Benfica 1-1 Chelsea
01:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 90 + 8 minutes
01:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleA handy block prevents Angel Di Maria doubling his, and Benfica’s, tally. Surely they can’t get another?
Chelsea 1-1 Benfica, 90 + 7 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleA half-chance for Moises Caicedo is messily performed. Wild and wayward.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 BENFICA (Angel Di Maria, 90 + 5 minutes)
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleBenfica are level! Angel Di Maria, who will leave the club after this tournament, extends their Club World Cup run from the penalty spot. Extra time beckons.
PENALTY! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 90 + 2 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleA disaster. Handball. Penalty. Benfica have the chance to equalise in stoppage time.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 90 + 2 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh, this would be harsh - but VAR is having a look. I’m not sure what else Malo Gusto could do, but his arms are spread as he leaps in front of Nicolas Otamendi. By law, it’s probably a penalty...
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 90 + 2 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleA foul on Angel Di Maria from Moises Caicedo - though the reaction of the Chelsea players suggests they think the Benfica midfielder has bought that. The referee waves them away.
Handball? Benfica all go up after Nicolas Otamendi’s header back across goal is blocked by Chelsea. Was there a stray arm in there?
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 90 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the final minute of regulation time. A tame forward pass trickles all the way through to Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.
Up comes the board...six more minutes to be negotiated.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 89 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleForward come the burly blokes; back they go as the offside flag is raised. Wasteful from the Portuguese side.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 88 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleTrevoh Chalobah concedes a free kick in a dangerous area. A chance for Benfica to load the box.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 87 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleI’ve seldom been so glad to see football being played. Tiago Gouveia is the man on for Benfica as they chase a late equaliser.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleChanges for both sides, of course. Trevoh Chalobah is on for Romeo Lavia, who still hasn’t completed 90 minutes for Chelsea. We’re back underway!
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleA few hardy fans have hung around for the nearly two hours it has taken to get the game back on. Some effort. Though I would question their wisdom.
PLAY SET TO RESUME!!!!!!
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe are good to go - the action will be back underway in a couple of minutes.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:41 , Harry Latham-CoylePlease, please, please no extra time, chaps.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleBalls are being kicked around. Vague warm-up movements are being made. This looks promising...
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleHurrah - we have bodies back on the pitch and cameras back in operation. Get on with the game!
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle“There’s no real update,” the DAZN reporter inside Bank of America Stadium says. Also not ideal.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is a rainbow over Bank of America Stadium, though no players on the pitch. It’s not ideal.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is, of course, the prospect of extra time and penalties still if Benfica were to find a late equaliser. A shuddering thought.
Chelsea keeping the legs going on exercise bikes after long delay
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 28, 2025
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleSuggestions that the players might be back out in the next 15 minutes or so if there is no further lightning. Though there will, of course, be a warm-up.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Sunday 29 June 2025 00:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s now over an hour since the players were taken off. Communication has been scant.
Thunderstorm forces players off in Chelsea’s Club World Cup last-16 clash with Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleChelsea’s bid to reach the Club World Cup quarter-finals has been delayed as their clash with Benfica in Charlotte was interrupted by a thunderstorm.
Enzo Maresca’s side were leading 1-0 and just four minutes away from securing their place in the last eight when the referee took players off the field at the Bank of America Stadium.
Thunderstorm forces players off in Chelsea’s CWC last-16 clash with Benfica
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleShake hands, call it a Chelsea win and head home?
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh dear - more lightning in the area resets the clock to half-an-hour as the delay is extended.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleStill we wait.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome suggestions of a 20-minute warm-up period once the players are allowed to re-enter the playing area imminently. Is that really necessary? There may only be a matter of minutes left.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleStill we wait for the players to re-emerge, though assuming there is no more lightning, the restart should be relatively prompt.
Fifa release statement after play suspended
Saturday 28 June 2025 23:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleA Fifa statement has landed: "Due to adverse weather conditions in Charlotte, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, the FIFA Club World Cup match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC has been suspended. A 30-minute break has been foreseen.
"Fifa will follow the established safety protocols, and the match will resume as soon as it’s safe to do so."
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleBenfica have already experienced a weather delay once at this tournament, their game against Auckland City suspended for two hours. Sigh...
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleMost of the Bank of America Stadium is still bathed in sunshine.
PLAY SUSPENDED: Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleHang on - the game is being halted! Bad weather in the area, including the threat of lightning, and the referee has taken them indoors even with just five minutes to play.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 85 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleBenfica boss Bruno Lage barks some instructions at his side, desperately urging them to find something to give them hope of a comeback.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 83 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleOrkan Kokcu is the latest Benfica booking - the Turkish midfielder joins those in line to miss the quarter-final if Benfica succeed in turning this around to set up a tie with Palmeiras.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 82 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleMalo Gusto is in the action quickly, making sure he gets sufficient elevation to cut out a clipped cross. He draws a foul, too, from the Benfica player beneath him.
Offside! Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 80 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleLiam Delap has the ball in the back of the net, but the Chelsea striker is offside as Cole Palmer slides him in behind.
More Chelsea changes on the way, with Delap among those replaced. Reece James and Enzo Fernandez also take leave; enter Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 78 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleA great chance for Gianluca Prestianni! Fredrik Aursnes surges up the right and shows real calm and composure to cut-back blindly to the substitute, but Prestianni gets his finish all wrong, just throwing a boot at it rather than placing with purpose. In a game of few Benfica chances, that feels costly.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 77 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe crowd is announced as about 25,000 - which, in truth, is probably more than it looks like, though the Bank of America Stadium is a capacious venue. The crowds haven’t been particularly enamoured with this tournament, it must be said, though the heat is obviously an inhibiting factor.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 74 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleAh, that’s poor from Enzo Fernandez - the Argentina international strides purposefully out of midfield and seems set to slip in Cole Palmer, only to make a hash of his attempted pass to let the chance go. Sloppy stuff.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 71 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleCole Palmer drags a shot wide from a decent opening. Enzo Maresca slaps his hands in frustration.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 69 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleBadiashile’s race is run. Away he trudges to the touchline as Tosin Adarabioyo is swiftly stripped and readied to replace him.
A double change for Benfica: veteran striker Andrea Belotti and dynamic teenager Gianluca Prestianni step in for Vangelis Pavlidis and Florentino Luis.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 67 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleGood defending from Benoit Badiashile - just about. There’s a fair amount of contact from the Chelsea centre-back on Vangelis Pavlidis, but not quite enough to concede a penalty.
Badiashile has come up sore, though. Looks like a hamstring issue.
Chelsea 1-0 Benfica, 66 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou did wonder if Chelsea were going to be frustrated all afternoon given their toil, but now they have a lead to protect. Benfica will have to come out of their shells, you’d think.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 Benfica (Reece James, 64 minutes)
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleA delightful free kick from Reece James breaks the deadlock!
Superb from the Chelsea skipper. Anatoliy Trubin erects a wall, half-anticipating a shot even from wide out on the left, but James is good enough to beat both it and the goalkeeper, bending it in at the near post. Chelsea lead - finally.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 62 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleA flurry of cards all of a sudden. Florentino Luis hacks down Cole Palmer and his name and number will be scribbled down.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 61 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleMoises Caicedo goes into the referee’s book, which means he’ll be absent for Chelsea’s quarter-final should they progress.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 58 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleClose! A lovely corner routine from Chelsea sends Pedro Neto sauntering through after a ball he can strike on the volley. It’s a clean enough connection, though the direction isn’t quite right.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 57 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleEek - a hairy moment for Robert Sanchez, off his line in anticipation of a cross and then having to react rather hastily to get back when a shot instead comes. Sanchez just about sorts his limbs out in time to keep it from crossing the line.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 55 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleBenfica are yet to find their fluency since the resumption, and just look short of the sort of pace and purpose that will be required to really test Chelsea consistently.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 52 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleChelsea will feel in total control of this game, but until that goal is found, there will just be a nervousness lingering. Might Enzo Maresca be mulling a chance to inject some fresh energy?
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 50 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe first booking of the game goes to Evangelos Pavlidis - he’s out of the quarter-final, if Benfica get there.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 49 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot a million miles away! Moises Caicedo trims the daisies with a skidding shot that has the Benfica goalkeeper sprawling - a few feet away from the right-hand post of Anatoliy Trubin.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 47 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleA vital intervention from Nicolas Otamendi! A Cole Palmer cross looks bound for Liam Delap before the centre-half’s rather necessary deflection behind for a corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 46 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleA cloud has rolled over the Bank of America Stadium, which will please the players as they are given a bit of respite from the summer swelter.
Second half...
Saturday 28 June 2025 22:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleA half-time change for Benfica, Kerem Akturkoglu off the bench and into the fray for Andreas Schjelderup - the Norwegian just couldn’t quite get into the game.
Back underway.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleBright enough stuff from Chelsea, threatening throughout that first half - though without joy in terms of a goal. Benfica are hanging in their resolutely and will hope to strike on the break after the interval, with their threat so far severely limited.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Benfica
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleChelsea 0-0 Benfica, 45 + 4 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot for the first time today, Antonio Silva is alert when his teammates are not, getting in the path of Cole Palmer after the Chelsea forward had do-si-do-ed into the Benfica box. The resultant corner might be the last chance of the half...and it’s headed calmly away.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 45 + 2 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh dear! That looks possibly rather unpleasant for Moises Caicedo, colliding awkwardly with Leandro Barreiro after losing the run of the ball slightly. Caicedo is able to extend his leg, which suggests it may not be too serious - and he’s back on his feet soon enough.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 45 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleReally smart recovery work from Reece James, initially wrong-footed by a weaving Andreas Schjelderup but resetting to get a foot in as the Norwegian releases a shot.
Into three additional minutes at the end of the half.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 41 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleA bit of zip in Chelsea’s passing play sets Cucurella in beyond Fredrik Aursnes once again, though the Spaniard gets his cross all wrong, choosing a driving iron rather than the lob wedge required to find a teammate at the far stick. Away it thunders for a throw in.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 38 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleMarc Cucurella is denied again! It was the head of Antonio Silva earlier and this time it is the outstretched arm of Anatoliy Trubin, the Ukrainian goalkeeper making himself big to ensure he will not be beaten.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 36 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleChelsea are often operating with a back three in possession, and there isn’t much in the way of support for Reece James on the right of it when they lose the ball and Benfica switch play at speed. Andreas Schjelderup can’t quite retrieve a pass that looked to have put him in a threatening position.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 33 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleA clever little ball from Moises Caicedo is neatly taken on the turn by Cole Palmer, but his effort is a touch limp by his standards, allowing Anatoliy Trubin to flop to his left to keep it out.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 30 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleTime for a hydration break, wetted towels draped over necks as the fluids are taken on. It’s scorchio. It won’t necessarily help the flow of a slightly sluggish game, mind.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 27 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleJust a lull in the tempo as Chelsea pop the ball about without undue urgency or concern. Eventually, another cross evades its target at the far stick.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 25 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleAngel Di Maria attempts to catch Robert Sanchez out from a free kick, aiming for goal rather than the assembly of would-be contestants awaiting a cross into the box. Not the midfielder’s best.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 23 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleA glorious touch from Angel Di Maria after a raking diagonal has the Argentine considering how best to go past Marc Cucurella...right up until the referee’s whistle peeps with the offside flag up. A shame - serious skill to bring that down and kill it.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 21 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleTop stop from Anatoliy Trubin! Chelsea are really starting to create chances, Cole Palmer this time almost finding the near post but denied by the left hand of the goalkeeper.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 20 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the line! Superb from Antonio Silva, recognising Marc Cucurella’s intentions as he chops inside and heading away an effort curling for the corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 18 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleA fine block from the wily Nicolas Otamendi, showing all of his experience to ensure he’s in the right place at the right time to deny Chelsea after Enzo Fernandez had threatened.
A cross from the right then evades Levi Colwill at the far stick.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 15 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleAngel Di Maria is in his final few days at Benfica, his time with the club at an end after this tournament as he returns to boyhood side Rosario Central. This could, then, be his final game.
Chelsea 0-0 Benfica, 12 minutes
Saturday 28 June 2025 21:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is an inherent sloppiness to some of Chelsea’s play in possession, which has been a theme of this tournament for a lot of sides. The fatigue of this long season perhaps showing?
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