Sports Recorder | By Solomon OKPO
Chelsea advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Portuguese giants Benfica, following a tense extra-time showdown in the United States on Saturday night.
The dramatic encounter, which was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time, saw the Blues dig deep to produce a dominant display in extra time, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto, and Christian Nkunku all finding the back of the net.
Reece James had earlier opened scoring for Chelsea in the second half with a stunning free-kick, but the match took a wild turn in the 86th minute when a severe storm forced a two-hour suspension of play.
Upon resumption, Benfica pressed forward and were awarded a late penalty after Malo Gusto handled a goal-bound header from Nicolás Otamendi. Veteran Argentine Ángel Di María converted from the spot in stoppage time, dragging the tie into extra time.
However, Chelsea showed greater composure and depth, dominating the additional 30 minutes with clinical finishing and intelligent buildup play. The trio of Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, and Nkunku struck in succession, putting the contest beyond doubt.
With this win, Chelsea now progress to the quarter-finals where they will face Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras, who earlier edged out Botafogo 1-0 in an all-Brazilian affair.
The Blues’ resilient performance not only highlighted their squad depth but also sent a strong message to other contenders in the competition.
