Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday. A solitary goal from Pedro Neto in the first half was enough to secure all three points for the Blues in their opening group stage match.
The London side, under the new management of Enzo Maresca, were made to work for their win by a resilient LAFC outfit. The Premier League club dominated possession for large spells of the game but struggled to break down the well-organized defense of the MLS side.
The decisive moment came in the 34th minute. Following a period of sustained Chelsea pressure, Portuguese winger Pedro Neto found space on the edge of the area and unleashed a precise strike that beat the despairing dive of the LAFC goalkeeper.
Chelsea's starting lineup saw a mix of established names and a few fresh faces on the bench, with recent signings looking to make their mark. The Blues controlled the tempo for much of the encounter, with their midfield dictating the flow of the game. However, clear-cut chances were few and far between as LAFC remained a threat on the counter-attack.
The second half saw LAFC push for an equalizer, but Chelsea's defense, marshaled by their experienced backline, held firm to protect their slender lead. Despite some nervy moments towards the end, Chelsea managed to see out the game and start their Club World Cup journey with a crucial win.
The Blues will now turn their attention to their next group stage fixture, where they will be looking to build on this opening victory and take a step closer to the knockout stages of the prestigious tournament.
