Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 in extra time to reach the Club World Cup quarter-finals. Reece James opened the scoring, Di Maria equalized with a penalty, but late goals from Nkunku, Neto, and Dewsbury-Hall sealed the dramatic win. Full match recap, highlights, and reactions.

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Chelsea Edge Past Benfica with Extra-Time Surge to Reach Club World Cup Quarter-Finals

Chelsea delivered a thrilling performance. Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after extra time. A tightly contested match swung in dramatic fashion late, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side displaying grit, depth, and late-match brilliance to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

⚽ Reece James Returns with a Bang Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1

After months of injury setbacks, club captain Reece James made his return to the scoresheet in style. In the 28th minute, he curled a stunning free kick past Benfica’s keeper Anatoliy Trubin, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead. The goal not only lifted the Blues’ tempo but also energized the crowd and showed glimpses of the captain’s leadership and technical skill.

Chelsea controlled the tempo for much of the first half but struggled to convert further chances. Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer came close, but Benfica’s defense—led by António Silva—stood firm.

🟥 Benfica Fight Back: Di Maria Delivers from the Spot

Veteran winger Ángel Di María turned the tide just before the hour mark. After a defensive error by Axel Disasi led to a foul in the box, Di María calmly slotted home the penalty in the 58th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.

Benfica gained momentum after the equalizer, with Rafa Silva and João Mário both threatening Chelsea’s backline. Robert Sánchez was called into action several times as the Portuguese side looked increasingly likely to find a winner in regular time.

⏱️ Extra-Time Drama: Chelsea Explode in Final 30 Minutes

With both sides tied after 90 minutes, the game headed into extra time. That’s where Chelsea’s depth and fitness made all the difference.

In the 96th minute, Christopher Nkunku—on as a substitute—latched onto a clever pass from Enzo Fernández and slotted a composed finish to restore Chelsea’s lead. It was Nkunku’s third goal in his last four matches, proving once again why he’s become one of the club’s most reliable attacking threats.

Just five minutes later, Pedro Neto—another substitute—capitalized on a defensive lapse from Benfica to fire in Chelsea’s third goal. The Portuguese winger’s speed and sharpness were too much for his former Liga rivals to handle.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed the win in the 115th minute with a well-placed finish from the edge of the box, completing a brilliant passage of extra-time dominance.

🎙️ Post-Match Reactions

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea head coach:

“It was a tough game, no doubt. Benfica are a strong side, but we showed mentality. Our bench made the difference today. I’m especially happy for Reece—he’s worked so hard to come back.”

Reece James, Chelsea captain:

“It felt amazing to be back out there and help the team. We’ve got the quality and now we’ve got to keep this momentum.”

🧠 Tactical Analysis: Depth Wins Matches Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1

Chelsea’s ability to bring on high-quality substitutes like Nkunku, Neto, and Dewsbury-Hall proved decisive. While Benfica matched Chelsea for 90 minutes, the Premier League side’s superior squad depth and conditioning paid dividends in extra time.

Pochettino’s use of midfield rotations and pressing traps stifled Benfica in the final 30 minutes, and the Blues’ ability to exploit tired legs made all the difference.

🏆 What’s Next for Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1

Chelsea will face either Atletico Madrid or Al Ahly in the Club World Cup quarter-finals. With confidence soaring and key players hitting form at the right time, the Blues look ready to challenge for their second Club World Cup title.