Thunder, delays, and extra-time drama as Chelsea march on | OneFootball

Chelsea booked their place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals after a thrilling and chaotic 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica in Charlotte.

A game that had almost everything: a stunning free-kick, a dramatic equaliser, extra-time goals, and even a two-hour thunderstorm delay that brought the match to a grinding halt in the 85th minute.

The match got off to a bright start, with the Blues asserting themselves early. Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto looked sharp, while Marc Cucurella was a constant threat down the left.

Palmer and Neto both tested Anatoliy Trubin in the Benfica goal within the opening stages, with the Ukrainian goalkeeper standing firm to keep his side level.

The Portuguese side struggled to build from the back, pinned in by Chelsea’s pressing. Vangelis Pavlidis tried to provide a focal point up front, but Chelsea’s back line were quick to shut down danger.

The Blues came close on several occasions: Cucurella was denied brilliantly by Trubin, and António Silva made a vital goal-line clearance.

Chelsea finally got their breakthrough in the 64th minute. Spotting Trubin slightly off-position at his near post, Reece James arrowed a low shot into the gap, punishing the goalkeeper’s poor positioning. It was James’s first goal of the competition and a moment that ultimately sealed the result.

Despite going behind, Benfica responded well. Substitute Gianluca Prestianni had a golden chance to equalise after a clever move from Fredrik Aursnes, but hesitated at the key moment and failed to test Robert Sánchez.

With just four minutes remaining, the match was suspended due to an incoming thunderstorm. According to protocol, play could not resume until 30 minutes had passed since the last clap of thunder — and that clock reset each time lightning struck.

In the end, the game was halted for almost two hours, forcing both teams to cool down, rewarm, and try to maintain focus through an unusual and testing interruption.

When play finally resumed, Benfica stunned Chelsea with a spirited response. In stoppage time, after a VAR review for handball, Ángel Di María converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-1, dragging the game into extra time - an outcome that looked unlikely before the weather hit.

Extra-time started frenetically, and Enzo Maresca's side soon reclaimed control thanks to Prestianni being sent off for a second bookable offence.

In the 108th minute, Cole Palmer led a breakaway and found Moisés Caicedo in space. Although the Ecuadorian’s shot was saved, Christopher Nkunku was on hand to slot home the rebound and put the English side back in front early in the second period.

Pedro Neto added a third just minutes later, taking advantage of Benfica’s tired legs and drop in concentration. Then Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed the result with a cool finish after another sharp break.

The Blues now advance to the Club World Cup quarter-finals, where they'll face Brazilian side Palmeiras.