By: Reliable Football
If you're a football fan who missed Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Club World Cup Round of 16, I’m sorry to break it to you...
You missed the most chaotic, dramatic, weather-interrupted thriller of the tournament so far!
On a night that had thunder, lightning, last-minute equalizers, a red card, and three extra-time goals — Chelsea showed resilience and class to thrash 10-man Benfica 4–1 in extra time and book a date with Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
Let’s unpack the madness.
⚽ First Half: Caution and Control
The first 45 minutes weren’t exactly box-office. Both teams played like chess grandmasters — cautious, calculating, and not willing to give an inch. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Reece James making a rare start after his long injury layoff. On the other side, Benfica leaned on experience, with Ángel Di María orchestrating play from deep and young Gianluca Prestianni buzzing like a bee on the wings.
Despite the star power, clear chances were few. Chelsea's best opportunity came from a floated cross by Enzo Fernández (playing against his former club), which Jackson headed narrowly wide. Benfica responded with a curling Di María free-kick that skimmed the roof of the net.
Halftime score? 0–0. But the fireworks were just getting started.
🚀 Reece James Brings Thunder — Literally
In the 64th minute, BANG!
Reece James, back in full swing, stepped up and curled a sumptuous free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner. The captain celebrated wildly, and rightly so — it was his first goal since 2023.
Seconds later, nature joined the party.
Dark clouds rolled in, lightning flashed across the North Carolina sky, and the referee had no choice but to suspend the match in the 85th minute due to a nearby lightning strike.
Fans were evacuated temporarily. Players waited nearly two hours inside the dressing rooms. On social media, fans joked, “Chelsea vs. Benfica is now Chelsea vs. the weather.”
😱 Benfica Strike Late, Then Collapse
Once the storm passed and play resumed, it was Benfica who brought the thunder.
In the 95th minute, VAR awarded the Portuguese side a penalty after a Chelsea defender was judged to have handled a cross inside the box. Veteran Ángel Di María, ice cold as ever, sent Đorđe Petrović the wrong way.
1–1. Game on.
But then came the twist — Gianluca Prestianni, already on a yellow, made a reckless lunge on Dewsbury-Hall and was sent off. Benfica were down to 10.
🧠 Extra Time: Chelsea Flex Depth & Dominance
Chelsea smelt blood. And like sharks, they pounced.
🔹 108′ — Nkunku Strikes
Christopher Nkunku, who had looked sharp all night, pounced on a rebound after a Pedro Neto shot was parried. The Frenchman buried it with ease. Chelsea 2–1.
🔹 114′ — Neto’s Moment
Pedro Neto — signed in January to add width and flair — glided past two defenders and calmly slotted into the bottom corner. His celebration? Arms outstretched, soaking in the moment. Chelsea 3–1.
🔹 117′ — Dewsbury-Hall Seals It
To complete the rout, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall latched onto a cut-back and side-footed a finish into the far corner. Benfica? Deflated. Chelsea? Flying. Final score: 4–1.
🔍 Key Talking Points
🌩️ The Weather Delay
Football rarely stops for weather — but this was one of those rare moments. The nearly two-hour delay was a nightmare for fans and players, but credit to both sides for maintaining intensity afterwards.
💪 Chelsea’s Mental Strength
To concede a late equalizer, then dominate extra time shows massive mental strength. That’s the mark of a serious side.
🔴 Benfica’s Missed Opportunity
At 1–1, they had Chelsea rattled — but Prestianni’s red card destroyed their rhythm. A what-if moment they’ll regret for a long time.
🌟 Man of the Match: Moisés Caicedo
Yes, Reece James scored. Nkunku delivered. But Caicedo was a wall in midfield — breaking up play, starting counters, and running until the final whistle.
The only downside? He picked up a yellow and will miss the quarter-final vs. Palmeiras.
📊 Stats That Tell The Story
| Stat | Chelsea | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots (on target) | 22 (11) | 10 (4) |
| Pass accuracy | 87% | 80% |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
🔮 What’s Next?
Chelsea head to Philadelphia for the Club World Cup Quarter-final vs. Palmeiras on July 4 — a clash of continents and styles.
With Caicedo suspended, Maresca will have to reshuffle, but fans can now dream big. Could Chelsea go all the way? Based on this performance, absolutely.
📢 Final Whistle
This wasn’t just a football match — it was a mini-movie. A comeback. A storm. A sending off. A masterclass in extra time.
Chelsea fans? Celebrate.
Benfica fans? Reflect.
Neutral fans? Rejoice.
Because this, my friends, is why we love football.
👉 Which moment shocked you the most in this match? Let us know in the comments!
And don't forget to follow Reliable Football for more match breakdowns, transfer drama, and everything beautiful about the beautiful game.
#Chelsea #Benfica #ClubWorldCup #Nkunku #ReeceJames #PedroNeto #ReliableFootball
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