Benfica – Chelsea: Blues Blitz In Extra Time To Enter Quarter Finals As Weather Gods Intervene (1-4 AET)

Chelsea turned on the afterburners in the second half of extra time to score three goals to beat Benfica & qualify for the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. A second half free-kick from Reece James gave the Blues the lead but Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot for Benfica after the game resumed following a two-hour break in play due to bad weather. Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in extra time sank Benfica who were reduced to ten men following a red card for Gianluca Prestianni. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Gaurav Krishnan.

On this particular evening in Charlotte, USA as the Round of 16 clash between Benfica and Chelsea in the Club World Cup progressed, the weather gods intervened to spice up the encounter following what seemed like a routine 1-0 win for Chelsea in normal time.

For their part, the Blues dominated Benfica for large spells of the game but only struck first after Reece James cheekily scored from a free-kick, catching Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin off guard at the near post with a venomous effort. As the game progressed, it seemed like the Blues would close out a routine 1-0 win, but at around the 84th minute mark, the match officials decided to suspend play due to stormy weather approaching the stadium in Charlotte. The eager fans were asked to vacate the stadium, although some stayed on, as the players left the pitch waiting for the weather to turn favourable again to restart play.

After the storm passed, Benfica returned to the pitch with . . .