In the opening match of Group D at the Club World Cup, Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC. The match took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where 22,137 fans witnessed the action. Chelsea started strong, putting pressure on LAFC’s goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. Pedro Neto found the net in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Nicolas Jackson and finishing with a near-post shot.
LAFC had moments of possession but struggled to convert their efforts into significant scoring opportunities. Just before the 60-minute mark, they nearly equalized, but Chelsea’s Robert Sánchez made a crucial save against Denis Bouanga. In a bid to increase their attacking prowess, LAFC brought on former Chelsea player Olivier Giroud during the second half. However, it was Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández who struck in the 79th minute, converting a cross from Liam Delap to extend the lead and secure the win.
The match also marked the debut of Delap, a promising 22-year-old striker from Ipswich Town, which added a positive note for Chelsea. As favorites to advance from Group D, Chelsea demonstrated their quality, while LAFC now faces critical matches ahead, particularly against Flamengo, which will be crucial for their advancement in the tournament.
LAFC midfielder Marky Delgado acknowledged Chelsea’s quality, stating that they capitalize on rare opportunities. In contrast, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill emphasized their focus on maintaining confidence and playing their game, effectively managing the match and securing the win.
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