Chelsea advanced to the Club World Cup quarterfinals with a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Benfica, but the match was overshadowed by a two-hour lightning delay that reignited criticism over the tournament’s US venue. Manager Enzo Maresca called the repeated weather disruptions “a joke” and questioned FIFA’s decision to host the event in the United States.
⚡ Lightning Strikes Again: Sixth Weather Delay of Tournament
The Round of 16 clash at Bank of America Stadium was halted in the 86th minute with Chelsea leading 1–0, following a Reece James free-kick. Fans were evacuated due to lightning in the area—the sixth such delay in the tournament’s first 50 matches.
Despite no rainfall, the match resumed after two hours. Benfica equalized through an Ángel Di María penalty in stoppage time, forcing extra time. Chelsea responded with goals from Christopher Nkunku (108’), Pedro Neto (114’), and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (117’) to seal the win.
🗣️ Maresca: “It’s Not Football”
Post-match, Maresca didn’t hold back:
“It’s already seven, eight, nine games that they suspended. I think it’s a joke, to be honest. It’s not football. It’s not for us,” he said, adding that the US is “not the right place to do this competition”.
He cited player focus issues, logistical chaos, and extreme heat as major concerns, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup also set to be hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
🏟️ Sparse Attendance and Scheduling Woes
The match, which lasted nearly five hours, saw low attendance, with large sections of the 75,000-seat stadium empty. Fans and players alike were frustrated by the delay, with Chelsea captain Reece James calling it “disruptive”.
🏆 What’s Next?
Chelsea will face Palmeiras in the quarterfinals on July 4 in Philadelphia, while FIFA faces mounting pressure to address weather-related scheduling risks and venue suitability for future global tournaments.
Stay tuned for Chelsea’s quarterfinal clash and ongoing Club World Cup developments.
