Chelsea survive heat, advance to face Benfica
Liam Delap marked his Chelsea debut with a crucial goal, securing the Blues' place in the Club World Cup knockout stages with a 3-0 victory over ES Tunis. The 22-year-old striker, who joined from Ipswich for £30m earlier this month, opened his account with a composed finish just before halftime.
Match Highlights
The breakthrough came when Tosin Adarabioyo powered home an Enzo Fernandez free-kick in the 43rd minute. Just two minutes later, Delap doubled the lead with an excellent turn and finish. Substitute Tyrique George completed the scoring in stoppage time at Lincoln Financial Field, where 32,967 fans braved sweltering 36°C conditions.
Tactical Adjustments
Manager Enzo Maresca made eight changes to his starting XI, resting key players including Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Moises Caicedo due to the extreme Philadelphia heat. The Italian's rotation proved effective as Chelsea controlled proceedings with 74% possession and 16 shots compared to Tunis' three.
Key Performers
- Enzo Fernandez: The stand-in captain provided two assists before being substituted
- Liam Delap: Showed promising movement and clinical finishing for his debut goal
- Andrey Santos: Made his first Chelsea appearance as a second-half substitute
What This Means
The victory sees Chelsea progress as Group D runners-up behind Flamengo, setting up a last-16 clash with Portuguese giants Benfica. Delap's performance offers Maresca a valuable attacking option with Nicolas Jackson still suspended.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea will face Benfica on Saturday as they continue their Club World Cup campaign. The Blues will hope to have key players refreshed after their rotation against Tunis.
