Chelsea Overcome Weather Havoc and Benfica to Advance 4–1 After Extra Time
A Wild Ride in Charlotte: Chelsea Storm Through to World Cup Quarters
Charlotte, NC – June 28, 2025 – In an unforgettable round-of-16 showdown at the FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea triumphed over Benfica with a 4–1 victory after extra time, sealing their place in the quarter-finals against Palmeiras. The night offered gripping drama: weather delays, a last-minute penalty, a red card, and an emphatic extra-time surge by Enzo Maresca’s side.
Storm Delay: A Game Interrupted
Chelsea looked to be in control with Reece James’ stunning free‑kick breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute. But with just five minutes remaining in regulation, an intense lightning storm halted play. Referee Slavko Vincic evacuated players and fans from the Bank of America Stadium at 85′ due to safety protocols.
The interruption extended for nearly two hours, testing both squads’ patience and focus.
Resumption & Dramatic Turnaround
When play resumed late in stoppage time, Benfica was awarded a VAR‑reviewed penalty for a handball by Malo Gusto. Ángel Di María coolly converted, leveling the match 1–1 and forcing extra time.
Early in extra time, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni received a second yellow card (92′), reducing the Portuguese side to 10 men.
Performers & Stats
| Player | Role & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Reece James | Free-kick hero with 1 goal; captain led from the back |
| Moisés Caicedo | Anchored the midfield; named “Superior Player of the Match” despite suspension |
| Christopher Nkunku | Struck first in extra time to restore the lead |
| Pedro Neto | Finished off the third goal skillfully |
| Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall | Rounded off the scoring with a cool finish |
| Ángel Di María | Delivered the dramatic penalty to force extra time |
| Gianluca Prestianni | Red carded early in extra time, shifting momentum |
| Anatoliy Trubin | Benfica keeper whose penalty save attempts kept them in it for long stretches |
Enzo Maresca praised his squad’s resilience:
“Very proud … performance was top until 85 minutes … when you are inside more than one hour it is not easy … but at 1–1 we continued to play … the reward was the one that we deserved.”
Benfica manager Enzo Fernández (not to be confused with Chelsea’s Enzo) and staff questioned the disruption of flow caused by the weather but acknowledged Chelsea’s physical edge in extra time.
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