Chelsea scored three late goals in extra time to defeat ten-man Benfica 4-1 in an extraordinary FIFA Club World Cup round-of-16 match that was suspended for nearly two hours due to severe weather.
Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all found the net in the second half of extra time to send the Premier League side through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Chelsea appeared on course for a regulation 1-0 victory after captain Reece James scored with a brilliant near-post free-kick in the 64th minute. However, with just four minutes of normal time remaining, the players were taken off the pitch as thunderstorms and lightning approached the Bank of America Stadium.
When play resumed after a delay of almost two hours, Benfica were awarded a penalty for a handball. Angel di Maria, playing his final game for the Portuguese club, calmly converted from the spot in the 94th minute to send the tie into extra time.
Benfica’s hopes were dashed early in the extra period when 18-year-old substitute Gianluca Prestianni was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession, the second for a late challenge on Levi Colwill.
Chelsea eventually made their numerical advantage count. Nkunku broke the deadlock, before Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added further goals to seal the win in front of a crowd of 25,929.
The victory, however, came at a cost for Enzo Maresca’s side. Defender Benoit Badiashile was seen leaving the ground on crutches, while midfielder Moises Caicedo picked up his second booking of the tournament, earning a one-match suspension that will rule him out of the quarter-final.
Chelsea will now travel to Philadelphia to face South American champions Palmeiras on Friday.
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