Chelsea sealed a dramatic 4-1 extra-time victory over 10-man Benfica in an extraordinary Club World Cup last-16 tie in Charlotte, North Carolina — a contest that lasted over four hours and included a two-hour delay for severe weather.
Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the second half of extra time finally put the tie beyond doubt, setting up a quarter-final clash with Brazil’s Palmeiras on Friday in Philadelphia.
Reece James had initially looked to have settled a tight contest with a superb near-post free-kick in the 64th minute. But chaos ensued in the final minutes of normal time when thunderstorms halted play in line with local ‘seek cover’ protocols. A lightning strike within an eight-mile radius forced a near two-hour pause, during which the Chelsea players, clearly frustrated, were dragged off the pitch.
When play resumed, Benfica struck with their first shot on target. Angel Di Maria, playing his final game for the Portuguese club, converted a 94th-minute penalty after a Chelsea handball to level the match and force extra time.
Benfica’s hopes, however, took a hit just minutes later when teenager Gianluca Prestianni received two bookings in quick succession — the second for a reckless challenge on Levi Colwill — reducing the Portuguese side to 10 men.
Chelsea eventually made their numerical advantage count, with Nkunku and Neto both striking from inside the box before Dewsbury-Hall capped the night with a third in the 120th minute.
Key Talking Points
Thunderstorms are common in Charlotte, and each lightning strike restarts a 30-minute delay countdown. This unfamiliar protocol disrupted the game’s rhythm and left players visibly frustrated.
Both Chelsea full-backs were standout performers in manager Enzo Maresca’s evolving system, particularly James, whose free-kick was his second of the calendar year — both of Chelsea’s direct free-kick goals in 2025.
Chelsea suffered a setback with Benoît Badiashile leaving the stadium on crutches, while midfielder Moises Caicedo’s booking means he will miss the quarter-final through suspension.
Chelsea had not faced a single shot on target across consecutive Club World Cup matches until Di Maria’s penalty.
Benfica are now winless in their past eight matches against English opposition (D3 L5) since a 3-1 win over Spurs in March 2014.
Chelsea will now face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals on Friday (kick-off 20:00 BST) in Philadelphia. Benfica, meanwhile, return to focus on their Champions League play-off preparations, with the Supertaca — Portugal’s Super Cup against Sporting — set for 31 July.