Chelsea Progress in Club World Cup After Confident Win Over ES Tunis | OneFootball

Chelsea Cruise Past ES Tunis to Reach Club World Cup Knockouts

Delap Answers Critics in Fiery Philadelphia Heat

In a game played under the punishing Pennsylvania humidity, Liam Delap provided Chelsea with the cutting edge they needed to confirm progression to the last 16 of the Club World Cup. A 3-0 victory over ES Tunis was far from a stroll, but it was enough to showcase growing depth in Enzo Maresca’s evolving squad.

The £30 million man from Ipswich picked the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club, pouncing on a moment of quality delivered by Enzo Fernandez. It was a key strike that helped cement the Blues’ dominance just before the break.

Photo: IMAGO

With Nicolas Jackson suspended, Delap, 22, was one of only three players retained from the previous starting line-up. Maresca, consistent in his rotational approach, handed the forward an opportunity to lead the line. He took it. “His goal — coming in a quickfire double, both created by Enzo Fernandez — put the game beyond doubt before the interval.”

Fernandez Influence and Chelsea Control

Chelsea’s performance in the first half was a blend of patience and pressure. With FIFA president Gianni Infantino watching from the stands, there was early dominance from the Blues who knew a draw would be enough to secure second place in Group D behind Flamengo, thanks to a superior goal difference over ES Tunis.

Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a precise header after connecting cleanly with a Fernandez free-kick in added time at the end of the first half. Then, barely a minute later, Delap received a neat chip from the Argentine midfielder, outmuscled one defender and showed fine footwork to evade another before slotting past Bechir Ben Said.

It was a goal that reflected both the team’s calm in chaos and Fernandez’s growing stature as Chelsea’s creative lynchpin.

ES Tunis Fall Short Despite Bright Moments

The Tunisian side were not without ambition. Their wide players showed flashes of danger, but they lacked the ruthlessness that Chelsea had in critical areas. Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was largely untroubled, although Delap himself was denied early on after a clever move, his effort comfortably saved by Ben Said.

There was a moment of promise when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall — who has attracted interest from West Ham — met a Malo Gusto cross with a looping header, only for Yassine Meriah to head clear. Josh Acheampong tested Ben Said from distance before the offside flag halted Delap’s follow-up.

Late Drama and George Seals Progression

The second half lacked the tempo of the first, though Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke both threatened to extend the scoreline. Nkunku went down in the box early after the restart but saw his penalty claims waved away. Later, an Andrey Santos shot struck Meriah’s arm and a penalty was given, only to be overturned after a lengthy VAR check.

Still, Chelsea found the third goal they deserved. Substitute Tyrique George’s effort slipped through Ben Said’s grasp deep into added time. The final whistle confirmed Chelsea’s spot in the next round, where they will face Benfica in Charlotte.

ES Tunis, vibrant at times, ultimately lacked the quality to truly trouble the Premier League side. Chelsea march on with growing belief and a sharper sense of identity under Maresca’s guidance.