The round of 16 clash between Chelsea and Benfica was suspended due to a storm threat in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday (June 29, 2025 as per India time). This was the second game involving Benfica to be stopped owing to inclement weather in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup edition, and caused a nervous wait for Chelsea who led 1-0 with four minutes remaining in regulation time.
As many as six matches have been affected in the tournament due to adverse weather amid the American summer, with thunderstorms, severe heat and lightning all coming into play at different stages. The previous game involving Benfica to be stopped was a group-stage clash against Auckland City in Orlando. It had to be halted for almost two hours due to a lightning storm in the area.
The other four games to be paused were: Ulsan vs Mamelodi Sundowns on June 17 in Orlando, Pachuca vs RB Salzburg in Cincinnati on June 18, Palmeiras vs Al Ahly in East Rutherford on June 19 and Auckland City vs Boca Juniors in Nashville on June 25.
FIFA, the global football body organising the tournament, issued the following statement on the weather delay: "Due to adverse weather conditions in Charlotte, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, the FIFA Club World Cup match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC has been suspended. A 30-minute break has been foreseen. FIFA will follow the established safety protocols, and the match will resume as soon as it’s safe to do so."
Earlier, in the knockout game, Reece James netted a superb free-kick to put Chelsea ahead in the 64th minute. The England and Chelsea captain curled the set piece low into the near corner to beat Anatoliy Trubin. It was a surgical strike of sorts, bypassing the defensive wall and outsmarting Trubin, who was perhaps expecting a cross instead of a direct attempt.
