Philadelphia: Chelsea overcame a nearly five-hour weather-interrupted battle to beat Benfica 4-1 on Saturday and book a Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Palmeiras. The match at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium saw a two-hour delay due to storms.
Chelsea led 1-0 late through Reece James, but Benfica equalized with an Angel Di Maria penalty after a VAR handball call, sending the match into extra time. Reduced to 10 men, Benfica couldn’t hold on as Chelsea scored three more goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticised the delay, calling it “a joke.” Chelsea now returns to Philadelphia to face the Brazilian side Palmeiras, who edged Botafogo 1-0 earlier, thanks to a 100th-minute goal by Paulinho. The Palmeiras win came despite a late red card to captain Gustavo Gomez. The Club World Cup continues Sunday with PSG vs. Inter Miami and Bayern Munich vs. Flamengo.
