New Delhi: New signing Liam Delap made his debut for the club as Chelsea beat Los Angeles FC 2-0 in their opening game of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, US on Tuesday. Chelsea were far from their best in the game, but managed to ease past Los Angeles comfortably with the help of goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
There were thousands of empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as not many fans turned up for the clash. Chelsea took the lead in the match through Neto, who scored in the 34th minute. Neto capitalised on a pass from midfielder Nicolas Jackson and finished it emphatically after being sent clear. Chelsea doubled their lead through Fernandez in the second half.
The Argentinian midfielder tapped home a cross from Delap from close range to make it 2-0 for Chelsea in the 79th minute. With the win, Chelsea moved to the second spot in the Group D table, behind Brazilian side Flamengo, who have as many points after beating ES Tunis in their opener.
English striker Delap, who joined Chelsea on a £30m deal from Ipswich Town this month, enjoyed an impressive debut for the London club and was a constant attacking threat throughout the game. The striker came on as a substitute in the 64th minute and played his part in Chelsea’s victory by assisting Fernandez’s goal in the 79th minute.
Benfica play out 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors
Argentinian club Boca Juniors played out a 2-2 draw against Portuguese outfit Benfica in a heated affair, which saw as many as three red cards. Miguel Merentiel scored in the 21st minute to give Boca the lead, which was doubled by Rodrigo Battaglia six minutes later. Boca seemed to be headed into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead when Ander Herrera was sent off by the referee, handing a crucial penlaty to Benfica.
Angel Di Maria stepped up to convert from the spot to pull one back for Benfica as the first half ended with Boca Juniors leading 2-0. Tensions continued to flare up between the two teams in the second half as Benfica’s Andrea Belotti and Boca’s Jorge Figal were sent off in the 72nd and the 88th minute, respectively.
Nicolas Otamendi scored in the 84th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw for Benfica in a thrilling encounter at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Boca Juniors will take on Bayern Munich in their next game, while Benfica will play Auckland City in Group C.
Chelsea eased their way past Los Angeles FC with a 2-0 win in their opening game of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Portuguese club Benfica drew 2-2 against Argentina’s Boca Juniors. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
