Chelsea overcomes Benfica after storm delay in Club World Cup match

In the United States, a dramatic football match took place during the Club World Cup featuring Chelsea and Benfica. Chelsea led 1-0 with just four minutes remaining when the game was halted due to a thunderstorm at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Following an almost two-hour suspension, the players returned to the field, with Benfica managing to equalize through a controversial penalty scored by Angel Di Maria. The weather interruption seemed to work against Chelsea's momentum, leading to an unexpected shift in momentum as they struggled to re-establish dominance after the delay. However, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was sent off during extra time for a second booking, giving Chelsea a significant advantage. Chelsea capitalized on this opportunity, scoring three times in extra time through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, to secure a 4-1 victory. Following the win, Chelsea advanced to face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, scheduled for a later date in Philadelphia. Manager Enzo Maresca expressed his pride in the team despite the long delay affecting their rhythm, stating that such interruptions are not typical in high-stakes matches. The thunderstorm disruptions raised questions about the suitability of the United States as a host for the tournament, as earlier matches had also been impacted by extreme weather conditions. Maresca's comments highlighted the challenges of maintaining player focus amidst lengthy halts in play, contributing to ongoing discussions about tournament logistics and safety protocols.