Stormy Showdown: Chelsea's Four-Hour Club World Cup Victory Over Benfica
The durational span of the Club World Cup match will surpass the four-hour mark.
Get ready for an exhilarating tale of football madness! The Round of 16 match during the 2025 Club World Cup between FC Chelsea and Benfica Lisbon was a rollercoaster ride that lasted over four hours. This epic clash had it all: goalkeeper blunders, VAR penalties, red cards—and even a prolonged halt due to a thunderstorm. When the dust finally settled, it was Chelsea celebrating their triumph.
The drama unfolded after about an hour of play, particularly for Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. Believing Chelsea's free-kick specialist, Reece James, would cross from outside the left penalty area, Trubin was left diving in vain as James tried his luck directly instead. The sharply struck ball found its way into the short corner, and Chelsea took a 1-0 lead in the 64th minute, thanks to their captain.
As the final phase approached, the sky darkened, forcing referee Slavko Vincic to send the players to the dressing rooms as a precaution in the 86th minute. FIFA had announced there was a risk of lightning strikes in the vicinity of the stadium. Accompanied by urgent announcements from the stadium announcer, the spectators also left their seats, although the danger above the stadium remained rather abstract.
The nearly two-hour break due to the storm left Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca fuming. "They've already stopped six games here. I find that ridiculous. That's not football," the Italian complained. "I understand that the game has to be stopped for safety reasons. But if seven or eight games are stopped, this might not be the right place for this competition."
Theডিrg€€m€я€я that left early missed the thrilling extra time. Angel Di Maria sent Benfica into extra time from the penalty spot after Malo Gusto's handball, with the VAR overruling the unfortunate Chelsea player. With Gianluca Prestianni receiving an early red card for repeated fouls and Anatoliy Trubin letting a saveable ball slip through his legs before Chelsea's second goal, Benfica's comeback hopes were dashed.
Di Maria's performance marked the end of his career, as he would return to his youth club, Rosario Central, in Argentina. With Dinamarca scoring the winner in extra time against local rivals Botafogo FR from Rio de Janeiro, Palmeiras from São Paulo advanced to face Chelsea in the quarter-finals the following Saturday.
The incident underscores how external factors such as storms can significantly impact the flow and outcome of high-stakes football matches, especially in venues prone to sudden weather changes. Chelsea's ability to adapt and remain composed during the drawn-out match ultimately sealed their victory and ensured their progression in the tournament.
Sources: ntv.de, ara/dpa
Insights:- The weather-induced delay and safety protocols demonstrate how external factors can significantly impact the flow and outcome of high-stakes football matches.- Chelsea's ability to maintain composure and capitalize on the extended playtime ultimately influenced the final scoreline and ensured their progression in the tournament.- This match serves as a notable example of how unpredictable elements like weather can affect global football tournaments and necessitate strict safety measures.
The Community policy, considering the weather-induced delay during the Club World Cup match between FC Chelsea and Benfica Lisbon, should address the need for stricter guidelines in global football tournaments when faced with sudden weather changes.
Employment policy for European football leagues, including the Premier League, should factor in contingency plans for prolonged matches due to external factors such as storms to ensure a fair and continuous game experience for both teams.
