Chelsea Triumphs Over Benfica in Weather-Delayed Thriller in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a dramatic knockout-stage clash, Chelsea overcame Benfica 4-1 after extra time, capping off a wild night filled with goals and a lengthy weather delay.

The opening half ended scoreless despite chances for both sides, but Chelsea’s Reece James broke through in the 64th minute, giving the Blues a 1-0 lead. The game’s flow was disrupted in stoppage time (90+1’) when severe lightning forced officials to suspend play, resulting in a delay of over two hours.

When the teams finally returned to complete the final minutes, tension soared. Chelsea conceded consecutive fouls, the second leading to a penalty for Benfica. Veteran Ángel Di María, possibly making his last appearance for the Portuguese club, calmly slotted home the equalizer, sending the match into extra time.

“Very proud, the performance for me was top until 85 minutes when they stopped the game and it started a completely different game,” said Maresca. “When you are inside for more than one hour, it’s not easy, but 1-1 and then we continued to play and the reward was the one that we deserved.”

Benfica’s hopes were dashed early in the extra period when a player was sent off with a red card, leaving them with 10 men. Chelsea seized control, scoring three unanswered goals: Christopher Nkunku (108’), Pedro Neto (115’), and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (117’) all found the net, sealing Chelsea’s place in the next round.

For Benfica, it marks the end of their tournament run and, for Ángel Di María, a farewell before he returns to Argentina to play for Rosario Central, his boyhood club..

Chelsea marches on; Benfica heads home, but not before contributing to one of the summer’s most memorable matches.