June 29, (THEWILL) — Chelsea advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a hard-fought 4–1 extra-time victory over Benfica at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Enzo Maresca’s side edged past the Portuguese club after a dramatic finish in regulation time, a red card in extra time, and a flurry of late goals. The result sets up a last-eight clash against Brazilian side Palmeiras.
The opening stages saw Chelsea dictate possession and create early chances through Pedro Neto and Liam Delap. Benfica relied largely on breaks, but lacked the precision to threaten. Marc Cucurella came close for the English club in the 20th minute, but was denied by Antonio Silva’s goal-line clearance, before Cole Palmer forced a near-post save from Anatoliy Trubin. The Ukrainian goalkeeper then stopped another curling effort from Cucurella after the first-half cooling break, keeping the score level at the interval.
Reece James eventually gave Chelsea the lead in the 63rd minute with a driven free-kick that surprised Trubin at his near post. Benfica, limited in attacking threat, had a penalty appeal waved away when Vangelis Pavlidis went down under pressure from Benoit Badiashile. Then came a weather delay in the 85th minute due to thunderstorms. After play resumed, a stoppage-time penalty allowed Angel Di Maria to equalise for Benfica in what turned out to be his farewell appearance for the club.
Benfica’s momentum was short-lived. Substitute Gianluca Prestianni received a second yellow card just two minutes into extra time, leaving the Portuguese side with 10 men. Chelsea took full advantage. Christopher Nkunku restored the lead in the second half of extra time, finishing from close range to spare the Blues a penalty shootout. Pedro Neto added a third shortly after, continuing his strong summer form, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall completed the scoring with a well-timed finish.
Chelsea’s endurance was tested over 120 minutes, but Maresca’s team delivered when it counted. The manager’s rotation choices offered a glimpse into his plans for the coming domestic campaign, with several fringe players making key contributions. They now face Palmeiras for a place in the semi-finals, hoping to maintain momentum in the expanded tournament foping to maintain momentum in the expanded tournament format.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
