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Chelsea Begin Club World Cup Campaign with Win Over Los Angeles

Chelsea began their FIFA Club World Cup journey, currently held in the United States, with a routine 2–0 win over MLS champions Los Angeles FC in Atlanta as part of Group D.

The Blues’ goals were scored by Portuguese winger Pedro Neto (34) and Argentine substitute midfielder Enzo Fernández (79).

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 Fernández’s goal.

Chelsea’s 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).

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 Martínez missing a key chance (52), and Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez stopping a close effort from Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga, the MLS’s 2023 top scorer (57).

Delap entered around the hour mark and delivered an assist to Fernández, who scored Chelsea’s second goal (79).

Espérance Fall to Flamengo

In the same group, at Lincoln Financial Field, Tunisia’s Espérance lost their opening match 0–2 to Brazil’s Flamengo, with goals from Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta (17) and Luis Araújo (70).

It was Espérance’s first defeat since April 1, when they lost to South Africa’s 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.

Flamengo, on the other hand, continued their impressive form under young coach Filipe Luís, remaining unbeaten in nine consecutive matches across competitions while topping the Brazilian league after 12 rounds (having played 11 matches).

Tough Draw for Benfica

In Group C, Portugal’s Benfica came from behind to earn a 2–2 draw against Argentina’s Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium.

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).

Rodrigo Battaglia doubled the lead with a header following a headed pass from Ayrton Costa, who had received the ball from a Kevin Zenón corner kick (27).

But Boca’s dominance shifted after Chile’s Carlos Palacios kicked advancing defender Nicolás Otamendi while attempting to clear a corner. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty and also sent off Spain’s Ander Herrera from the bench for protesting.

Veteran Argentine Ángel Di María converted the penalty to reduce the deficit (45+3).

Benfica suffered a further blow when Italian substitute Andrea Belotti was sent off for a reckless challenge on Costa (72), but it didn’t stop them from equalizing through Otamendi, who headed home from a corner (84).

The referee issued a third red card in the match to Boca defender Jorge Figal for elbowing substitute Bruma (88).

Boca will face German champions Bayern Munich next at Hard Rock Stadium, while Benfica face New Zealand’s Auckland City at Inter & Co Stadium.

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