Chelsea began their FIFA Club World Cup journey, currently held in the United States, with a routine 2\u20130 win over MLS champions Los Angeles FC in Atlanta as part of Group D.<\/p>
The Blues\u2019 goals were scored by Portuguese winger Pedro Neto (34) and Argentine substitute midfielder Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez (79).<\/p>
The match was played in front of nearly empty stands, with just 22,000 spectators out of a possible 71,000 attending. Chelsea largely controlled the game and introduced their new striker Liam Delap, who recently joined from Ipswich Town, in the second half. He contributed an assist for Fern\u00e1ndez\u2019s goal.<\/p>
Chelsea\u2019s pressure paid off with the opening goal, when Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson sent a brilliant through ball to Neto, who dribbled past LA defender Ryan Hollingshead before firing a strong left-footed shot into the net (34).<\/p>
In the second half, veteran French striker and former Chelsea player Olivier Giroud came on for Los Angeles to boost the attack. The American side pressed harder in search of an equalizer, with Daniel Mart\u00ednez missing a key chance (52), and Chelsea keeper Robert S\u00e1nchez stopping a close effort from Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga, the MLS\u2019s 2023 top scorer (57).<\/p>
Delap entered around the hour mark and delivered an assist to Fern\u00e1ndez, who scored Chelsea\u2019s second goal (79).<\/p>
In the same group, at Lincoln Financial Field, Tunisia\u2019s Esp\u00e9rance lost their opening match 0\u20132 to Brazil\u2019s Flamengo, with goals from Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta (17) and Luis Ara\u00fajo (70).<\/p>
It was Esp\u00e9rance\u2019s first defeat since April 1, when they lost to South Africa\u2019s Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, after which they went on a 10-match unbeaten run that saw them claim the league and cup titles.<\/p>
Flamengo, on the other hand, continued their impressive form under young coach Filipe Lu\u00eds, remaining unbeaten in nine consecutive matches across competitions while topping the Brazilian league after 12 rounds (having played 11 matches).<\/p>
In Group C, Portugal\u2019s Benfica came from behind to earn a 2\u20132 draw against Argentina\u2019s Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium.<\/p>
Boca took the lead through Uruguayan Miguel Merentiel, who scored from close range after a cross by Lautaro Blanco, who made a skillful run down the left flank before delivering the ball (21).<\/p>
Rodrigo Battaglia doubled the lead with a header following a headed pass from Ayrton Costa, who had received the ball from a Kevin Zen\u00f3n corner kick (27).<\/p>
But Boca\u2019s dominance shifted after Chile\u2019s Carlos Palacios kicked advancing defender Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi while attempting to clear a corner. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty and also sent off Spain\u2019s Ander Herrera from the bench for protesting.<\/p>
Veteran Argentine \u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda converted the penalty to reduce the deficit (45+3).<\/p>
Benfica suffered a further blow when Italian substitute Andrea Belotti was sent off for a reckless challenge on Costa (72), but it didn\u2019t stop them from equalizing through Otamendi, who headed home from a corner (84).<\/p>
The referee issued a third red card in the match to Boca defender Jorge Figal for elbowing substitute Bruma (88).<\/p>
Boca will face German champions Bayern Munich next at Hard Rock Stadium, while Benfica face New Zealand\u2019s Auckland City at Inter & Co Stadium.<\/p>","continue_text":"Continue Reading","main_heading":"Blog"},"yoast_head":"\n