Chelsea have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after a dramatic and lengthy 4-1 victory over Portuguese champions Benfica. The Round of 16 clash, played at the Bank of America Stadium, was marred by a near two-hour weather delay but ultimately saw the Premier League side's quality shine through in extra time.
The match, which took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, was a hard-fought affair. Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 64th minute through a clever free-kick from captain Reece James. However, a late penalty, converted by former Real Madrid and PSG star Angel Di Maria for Benfica, sent the game into extra time after a lengthy delay due to thunderstorms in the area.
The turning point in the additional period came with a red card for Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. With a man advantage, Chelsea's class began to tell. Christopher Nkunku put the Blues ahead before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed a comprehensive, if hard-earned, victory.
Post-match, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his frustration with the lengthy weather delay, which he felt disrupted his team's momentum. Despite the unusual circumstances, he praised his side's resilience and quality in securing their place in the next round.
In other news, both clubs remain active in the transfer market ahead of the new season. Chelsea have been linked with a number of high-profile players as they look to build on their Club World Cup campaign, while Benfica will be looking to reinvest after a successful domestic season. The most notable recent transfer for the Portuguese side is the departure of Ángel Di María, who is set to join his boyhood club Rosario Central.
This victory for Chelsea sets up a tantalizing quarter-final clash and keeps their hopes of adding more silverware to their trophy cabinet alive. For Benfica, their Club World Cup journey comes to an end, but they can hold their heads high after a valiant display.
