Chelsea ratings vs Benfica: Reece James and Christopher Nkunku star as Blues reach Club World Cup last eight | OneFootball

Skipper back in the side and back with a goal in a thrilling encounter

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea reached the Club World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Benfica which was halted in the 86th minute due to adverse weather.

The Blues led through Reece James’s free-kick when the match was paused due to lightning and a thunderstorm.

When the game restarted, Malo Gusto conceded a penalty for handball and 37-year-old Angel Di Maria slotted it home to force extra-time.

But once there, goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ensured Chelsea reached the last eight and set up a meeting with Palmeiras.

Dom Smith was on hand to rate the Chelsea players’ performances…

Robert Sanchez 6

Given very little to do by Benfica’s front line but on hand to save one freakish goalbound cross. Went the wrong way for the Di Maria penalty. His distribution made the fourth Chelsea goal possible.

Reece James 8

Came into midfield when Chelsea were on the ball. Scored an exceptional free-kick, perfectly curled into the small gap it needed to go.

Levi Colwill 6

Kept track of the Benfica attackers well and showed good positioning.

Benoit Badiashile 7

Went off injured after 70 minutes but only after keeping Vangelis Pavlidis quiet and defended excellently. Had two decent shots on goal too.

Marc Cucurella 7

Added to Chelsea’s attacks, particularly in the first half when he almost scored twice.

Romeo Lavia 6

It was another solid performance in midfield from the Belgian.

Moises Caicedo 7

Passed forward at every opportunity and assisted Neto but picked up a yellow card that sees him suspended for the quarter-final.

Pedro Neto 7

A quiet day at the office from the Portuguese, but he calmly slotted home his third goal of the tournament in extra time.

Enzo Fernandez 6

Combined with Cole Palmer and won the ball back well for the Blues.

Cole Palmer 7

A good performance from Palmer, who dropped deep and tried to make things happen for Maresca’s side, assisting Dewsbury-Hall’s goal and involved in Nkunku’s.

Liam Delap 6

Held the ball up where he could and finished confidently after rounding the goalkeeper, but saw that goal disallowed for offside.

Subs:

Tosin Adarabioyo (Badiashile, 70’) 6

Came on for Badiashile after his injury and led from the back.

Malo Gusto (James, 80’) 5

Conceded a penalty that allowed Angel Di Maria and Benfica to equalise but came into midfield to good effect.

Christopher Nkunku (Delap, 80’) 7

Likely to leave the club this summer but scored an important goal and was smothered by his teammates for doing so.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Fernandez, 80’) 7

Really made a difference when he came on, and his chipped finish for the fourth goal oozed class.

Trevoh Chalobah (Lavia, 87’) 5

Did well enough at the back but couldn’t prevent Benfica from raising their game to pinch the equaliser in added time.

Aaron Anselmino (Colwill, 119’) N/A

Came on for his Chelsea debut.

Not used: Madueke, Essugo, Santos, Sarr, George, Acheampong, Guiu, Penders, Slonina