Chelsea will take on Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup after an eventful 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica.
Reece James had fired Chelsea ahead with a free-kick whipped inside the near post, before the clash was suspended four minutes from time. Fears over thunderstorms in Charlotte saw the players taken from the field and fans told to vacate seating area of the Bank of America Stadium. A two-hour delay followed with the players forced to remain warm using exercise bikes in the changing rooms.
After returning, Benfica benefitted with a 95th-minute equaliser. Angel Di Maria converted from the penalty spot after a handball against Malo Gusto.
Chelsea regained control in extra time and powered past the Portuguese side. Gianluca Prestianni’s red card on 92 minutes handed the Blues an advantage that they made count. Christopher Nkunku scrambled in a second before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the break wrapped up the win.
Chelsea will take on Palmeiras in the quarter-finals after the Brazilian side beat compatriots Botafogo. The West Londoners will come up against Estevao Willian in the tie, the winger who will officially join Chelsea after the tournament.
Maresca fumes at delay in Chelsea win over Benfica
Enzo Maresca was fuming at the suspension of the game and called it a ‘joke’ that multiple games have been impacted by weather in the USA.
“For 85 minutes we were in control of the game,” Maresca said.
“After the break, the game changed completely. For me it’s not football. It’s already seven, eight, nine games that they suspended.
“I think it’s a joke to be honest, it’s not football. It’s not for us. You cannot be inside. I struggle to understand. I can understand that for security reasons, you suspend the game. But if you suspend seven, eight games, that means that probably [this] is not the right place to do this competition.”
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