In a thrilling encounter at the Club World Cup last-16, Chelsea overcame Benfica with a decisive 4-1 victory following extra time. The match, which began with a two-hour delay, showcased intense competition and dramatic moments, culminating in Chelsea’s advancement to the quarterfinals.
From the moment of first whistle there was intense anticipation as both teams came out roaring. Chelsea dominated the match from the very start, with Benfica’s well-drilled defense keeping the powerhouse club at bay until the second half. Then, in the 64th minute, Chelsea’s Malo Gusto, with incredible precision, connected with Reece James, who rifled into the roof of the net to give Chelsea a lead. That goal appeared to add a jolt of confidence to the Chelsea team as they looked to quickly build on their momentum.
Despite the upset, the match turned on its head in a stunning reversal at stoppime. In the 90+5 minute, Benfica’s Ángel Di Maria would address a penalty kick. He coolly slotted it home, bringing the score to 1-1 and sending the match to extra time. Through a tense opening, Di Maria raised the pulse of the home crowd with an early blast. That moment highlighted perhaps his greatest skill, which is to deliver in the clutch when his team needs him the most.
When overtime started, both teams sought to land a knockout blow. Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku proved to be the difference maker, netting the winning goal in the 108th minute after dancing through Benfica’s back line. His perfectly placed effort sent Chelsea into a 2-1 lead, sending jubilant Chelsea fans into further celebrations.
The 2019 momentum continued with Chelsea when Neto doubled his tally in the 114th minute. After Cucurella made a significant impact by driving down the left and winning a corner earlier in extra time, Chelsea capitalized on their set-piece opportunities. It was an impressive show of creativity and teamwork as the squad jumped ahead 3-1.
As they dealt with this increasing frustration, Benfica found it difficult to recover from conceding such an early goal. The task became even more difficult for them when Prestianni saw red, meaning that Benfica were now down to ten players. This most recent setback, a percussive blow to their putative recovery, may or may not prove terminal. In the meantime, Chelsea kept the game tempo down to their liking.
Some of the biggest moments came late in the second half of extra time. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had a shot blocked by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, while Benfica’s Andrea Belotti and Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo both received bookings for their involvement in heated exchanges on the pitch. The game’s ruggedness emphasized the high stakes and commitment from both teams.
Chelsea FCW demonstrated exactly why they’ve been the most dominant side in this year’s FAWSL season. Thanks to goals from Nkunku and Neto in extra time, they closed out a convincing 4-1 victory. The team’s resilience and tactical execution proved vital in overcoming Benfica’s late equalizer and securing their place in the next round of the tournament.