Chelsea defeated Benfica 3-1 after extra time during a Club World Cup match that stretched over four hours. The game stopped for nearly two hours because of dangerous thunderstorms around Charlotte. Three late goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sent Chelsea to the quarter-finals. The Premier League team will face Brazil's Palmeiras next Friday at Philadelphia.
Reece James gave Chelsea the lead with a free kick during the 64th minute. Officials forced players off the field with four minutes remaining due to lightning strikes near the stadium. Angel di Maria scored from the penalty spot after play resumed to tie the match 1-1. The veteran forward was playing his final game for the Portuguese club.
Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni received two yellow cards within five minutes and was ejected. The young player fouled Levi Colwill just after extra time began. Chelsea took advantage of the extra player and scored three times to win the match. Only 25,929 fans attended the game at Bank of America Stadium, which holds 74,867 people.
Chelsea suffered some setbacks during the victory. Defender Benoit Badiashile left the stadium using crutches after getting hurt. Midfielder Moises Caicedo picked up his second yellow card of the tournament and must sit out the next match.
Reece James gave Chelsea the lead with a free kick during the 64th minute. Officials forced players off the field with four minutes remaining due to lightning strikes near the stadium. Angel di Maria scored from the penalty spot after play resumed to tie the match 1-1. The veteran forward was playing his final game for the Portuguese club.
Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni received two yellow cards within five minutes and was ejected. The young player fouled Levi Colwill just after extra time began. Chelsea took advantage of the extra player and scored three times to win the match. Only 25,929 fans attended the game at Bank of America Stadium, which holds 74,867 people.
Chelsea suffered some setbacks during the victory. Defender Benoit Badiashile left the stadium using crutches after getting hurt. Midfielder Moises Caicedo picked up his second yellow card of the tournament and must sit out the next match.
