Chelsea made history as the first English club to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, following a dramatic 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica in North Carolina.
Reece James sparked the breakthrough with a stunning free-kick in the 64th minute, curling the ball into the net from a tight angle on the left wing.
The Blues looked poised for a routine finish before Angel Di Maria equalised in the fifth minute of added time. The Argentine converted from the penalty spot after Malo Gusto was judged to have handled the ball, a call that many deemed soft but ultimately upheld following a VAR review.
Despite the frustration of conceding late, Chelsea stormed back during extra time with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, putting the game beyond the reach of the Portuguese side.
The victory sets up a quarterfinal showdown with South American powerhouse Palmeiras.
Chelsea’s dominance was evident throughout the match. They controlled possession and carved out the better chances, including a first-half opportunity that saw Marc Cucurella’s goal-bound shot cleared off the line by Benfica’s Antonio Silva. Cole Palmer also forced a top save from Anatoliy Trubin at the near post.
Trubin was left stunned when James’ free-kick crept in at his near post, catching the goalkeeper off guard as he anticipated a cross.
That goal appeared to be the match-winner until Di Maria’s late equaliser, which came shortly after a rare two-hour lightning delay. With just four minutes left in regulation, play was halted by the referee due to storms near Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The decision, though rooted in U.S. public safety regulations, visibly frustrated Chelsea players who were so close to the final whistle.
The lightning delay, caused by unseasonably high temperatures, highlighted growing weather-related concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup in the United States next summer.
This incident marks the sixth time a Club World Cup fixture has been paused due to adverse weather.
Benfica’s resilience after the delay briefly threatened Chelsea’s control, but their challenge crumbled when Gianluca Prestianni was sent off early in extra time.
Having received a yellow card during his side’s goal celebration, he earned a second for a late challenge just two minutes into the restart, reducing the Portuguese side to 10 men.
