Chelsea dominates, advancing to the Club World Cup quarterfinals after Delap's performance falls short
Game Recap:
Under scorching conditions in Philadelphia, Chelsea claimed a dominant 3-0 victory over Espérance in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D match. Tosin Adarabioyo and Liam Delap scored crucial first-half goals before Tyrique George added the third in injury time. The win catapulted Chelsea into the knockout stage, with their next opponent yet to be determined.
The Premier League side had an unblemished run in the offensive zone, controlling possession for 72% of the game and generating more shots (5 with 1 on target) compared to Espérance's solitary shot on target. Enzo Fernández stood out, providing two assists that set the stage for Chelsea's victorious campaign.
Liam Delap etched his name on the scoresheet for the first time with Chelsea during this encounter. Although the heatwave persisted, the conditions were comparatively manageable, as both teams made adjustments as the game progressed. Chelsea made eight changes to their starting lineup following a 3-1 loss to Flamengo, with Josh Acheampong and Malo Gusto retaining their spots and Enzo Maresca's side ultimately bouncing back.
With Esperance needing a win to advance, their chances all but evaporated as Chelsea netted twice in first-half stoppage time. Chelseanever looked back from there, as they clinched second place in Group D behind Brazilian giants Flamengo while eliminating Espérance.
In the lead-up to their next encounter, Chelsea will square off against Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. Notably, this will be their first meeting since Chelsea triumphed in the 2013 Europa League Final. The winner of that tie will subsequently face either Palmeiras or Botafogo of Brazil in the quarterfinals. Maresca described the upcoming test as a tough one, emphasizing the high caliber of Benfica's squad, manager, and players.
Insight: Braving the fierce Philadelphia heat, Chelsea showcased their dominance over Espérance, securing a 3-0 win and advancing to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Key contributors like Enzo Fernández and Liam Delap set the tone for the victory, ensuring four more teams were eliminated along the way.
Football champions Chelsea secured a 3-0 victory in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, as they advanced from the group stages and headed towards the European-leagues, specifically the Champions League, where they will face Benfica. Liam Delap contributed to this success, scoring his first goal for Chelsea during the tournament.
