The second knockout round match of the FIFA Club World Cup, just like the previous one, brought – extra time. But unlike the clash between Botafogo and Palmeiras, Benfica and Chelsea delivered a far more entertaining spectacle, which reached its peak in the final half-hour. It was thirty minutes of complete madness, a rollercoaster ride that eventually saw everyone thrown off except Chelsea, who cruised into the quarterfinals with a 4–1 win (1–1 after 90 minutes, 0–0 at halftime).And breathe. Up the Chels!!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/7E60FQv7mC— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2025 In what became by far the longest match of the tournament – starting at 11:00 p.m. and ending at 3:50 a.m., including a two-hour weather delay – Enzo Maresca’s team found its way out of the maze they were dragged into by Malo Gusto and secured a quarterfinal date with Palmeiras.It could have been a much shorter journey had the French defender not made a foolish mistake in stoppage time, effectively breathing life into a previously lifeless Benfica side. Dark clouds over the Charlotte stadium forced referee Slavko Vincic to halt play in the 86th minute.⚠️ MATCH SUSPENDED!Benfica vs Chelsea at Bank of America Stadium has been halted due to adverse weather conditions — just 5 minutes before full time, with Chelsea leading 1-0Thunderstorms take center stage 🌩️⛈️ — football takes a pause#ClubWorldCupwithMicky#FIFAClubWorldCup… pic.twitter.com/OKyQLEHWP5— MANOJ KARWASRA (@AAPka_Manojk) June 28, 2025 Chelsea came within inches of scoring in the 20th minute. Marc Cucurella faked a shot and sent Leandro Barreiro to the ground, then curled a shot with his weaker right foot toward the far post. Trubin was already beaten, but Antonio Silva cleared the ball off the line with his head. In the continuation of the same play, Cole Palmer fired from a tight angle on the left, similar to Pedro Neto’s attempt from the right a minute earlier, but on that occasion, Trubin was well-positioned to cover his near post.Midway through the second half, however, Trubin made a poor judgment. Expecting a cross, he set up the wall accordingly. Chelsea captain Reece James spotted a gap and drilled a shot low inside the near post – it couldn’t have been more precise.REECE JAMES!!! 🔥Chelsea have their first goal of the afternoon ⚽Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SLBCHE pic.twitter.com/n2vd5JMN0S— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 28, 2025 In the 86th minute, the aforementioned storm delay occurred. Initially, play was postponed for an hour, and just as the players were set to return, the clouds rolled in again, delaying the restart for another 30 minutes. After the long break, many thought Benfica’s players, cold from the extended time in the locker room, wouldn’t have enough time to shift gears. Especially since Maresca brought on an additional center-back, Trevoh Chalobah, for Romeo Lavia to close down spaces in front of Chelsea’s goal.That’s also why Malo Gusto was subbed in shortly before the interruption – but in the few minutes he spent on the pitch, he managed to mess everything up. He raised his arm high and stopped a free kick from reaching Nicolas Otamendi at the far post. At first uncertain, referee Vincic reviewed the VAR footage and pointed to the spot. Di Maria doesn’t miss from there. He had already scored from the spot against Boca Juniors and twice against Auckland City. Even in the fifth minute of stoppage time, he kept his cool and scored down the middle to send the match into extra time.Di Maria LEVELS IT 🔥Chelsea 1-1 BenficaWatch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SLBCHE pic.twitter.com/vZPoRePUdY— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 28, 2025 However, as soon as the first 15 minutes of extra time began, Benfica found themselves in trouble again. Prestianni went recklessly for a 50-50 ball and clipped Colwill’s leg. Vincic showed him a yellow – his second, after being booked earlier in the sixth minute of regulation stoppage time. The 19-year-old had to leave the pitch and watch the rest from the locker room as his team struggled.Gianluca Prestianni SEES RED 😮Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SLBCHE pic.twitter.com/PsqXj7pbVj— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 29, 2025 Despite being down a man, Benfica launched two dangerous counters right after the red card, seemingly catching Chelsea off guard. Kerem Akturkoglu forced a save from Robert Sanchez, and Di Maria’s clever pass was intercepted at the last second to deny Belotti a golden opportunity inside the six-yard box – a potential game-changer.NKUNKU GIVES CHELSEA THEIR SECOND!!!! 🤯Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SLBCHE pic.twitter.com/mYVxLQQfKR— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 29, 2025 But instead of a comeback, a Benfica collapse followed. The dam broke again, and Trubin once more failed. Moises Caicedo’s shot wasn’t particularly strong, but the Ukrainian keeper let it slip under his arm and roll toward the goal. Otamendi kept it from crossing the line – but only briefly, as Christopher Nkunku was right behind him to fire it under the crossbar from five meters.CHELSEA HAVE THREE!!! ⚽⚽⚽Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SLBCHE pic.twitter.com/iouqSjz8Zr— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 29, 2025 KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 👏👏BENFICA 1-4 CHELSEAWatch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SLBCHE pic.twitter.com/6KK49HbJ1X— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 29, 2025 With only nine outfield players and trailing again, Schmidt’s side had no choice but to go all-in. That left huge spaces at the back, which Chelsea exploited perfectly. First Pedro Neto, then Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck, sealing a dominant 4–1 win.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 20251/8 finalsSaturdayPalmeiras – Botafogo 1-0 AET (0-0)/Paulinho 10/Benfica – Chelsea 1-4 AET (1-1)/Di Maria 90+5 pen – James 64, Nkunku 108, Neto 114, Dewsbury-Hall 117/Sunday19.00: (1.22) PSG (7.00) Inter Miami (11.0)23.00: (5.30) Flamengo (3.60) Bayern (1.70)
