Football

Benfica 1-4 Chelsea, FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Blues Secure QF Place After Extra-Time Goals

Chelsea secured a place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final after a clinical 4-1 win over Benfica in the Round of 16 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 28 June. The Blues went ahead in the second half thanks to a sublime 64th-minute free-kick from Reece James that beat Anatoliy Trubin. With four minutes of normal time remaining, play was halted for over an hour due to a storm warning. The delay helped Benfica regroup, and Angel Di Maria equalised from the spot in added time. As the match went into extra time, the Eagles were reduced to ten men as Gianluca Prestianni got sent off two minutes in. Chelsea made the man advantage count, scoring three times in nine minutes through Christopher Nkunku (108’), Pedro Neto (114’), and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (117’) to give the Blues a big win and progression to the next stage.

Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Enzo Maresca
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Nell Redmond

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca waves to the crowd at the end of the Club World Cup round of 16 match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Nell Redmond

Chelsea's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, left, scores his side's fourth goal against Benfica's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Pedro Neto
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Nell Redmond

Chelsea's Pedro Neto celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Benfica during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Christopher Nkunku
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Nell Redmond

Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku (18) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Benfica during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Christopher Nkunku
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Chris Carlson

Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku is congratulated after scoring his teams second goal during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Christopher Nkunku
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Nell Redmond

Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku scores his teams second goal during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Gianluca Prestianni
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Chris Carlson

Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni leaves the pitch after a red card during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Malo Gusto
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Chris Carlson

Chelsea's Malo Gusto is called for a hand ball against Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_Angel Di Maria
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Chris Carlson

Benfica's Angel Di Maria scores his team's opening goal on a penalty kick during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in North Carolina_ Reece James
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Benfica vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Nell Redmond

Chelsea's Reece James celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Benfica during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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