Chelsea secures solid win against LAFC in Club World Cup opener

In the United States on June 16, 2025, Chelsea began their Club World Cup campaign with a decisive 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. However, the match was marred by a dismal turnout, with only 22,137 fans attending a venue that can hold 71,000. The low attendance is attributed to the match being held at 3:00 PM local time on a weekday, making it difficult for many local fans to attend. Despite the poor crowd, Chelsea took advantage of the situation and delivered a strong performance to secure three points in their opening game of the tournament. During the match, Chelsea controlled the pace from the outset, and their persistence paid off with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez. The team's performance was highlighted by solid defensive showing led by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who made crucial saves to keep LAFC at bay. In the 32nd minute, Neto broke the deadlock, taking a well-placed pass from Nicolas Jackson and scoring his first goal of the tournament. This set the tone for Chelsea, who appeared confident and composed throughout the first half. The second half saw the introduction of new signing Liam Delap, who made his Chelsea debut as a substitute. Delap's impact was immediate, and he assisted Fernandez, who scored Chelsea's second goal in the 79th minute. LAFC, despite having former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in their ranks, struggled to translate possession into clear-cut chances against Chelsea's defense. Their inability to finish off promising moves highlighted the quality gap between the two teams on the day. Chelsea's victory not only boosted their position in Group D but also raised concerns about the event's attendance and atmosphere. The largely empty stadium prompted coach Enzo Maresca to comment on the unusual environment, which could impact players' performances in the tournament. With Chelsea facing Brazilian club Flamengo next, concerns remain regarding attendance figures and the overall energy surrounding the tournament. Maresca expressed hope for a better turnout in the upcoming match, eyeing an opportunity to build momentum as his team seeks to reclaim elite status on the international stage after recent successes in domestic and European competitions.