After a wild match that stretched over four and a half hours—including a two-hour delay due to lightning—Chelsea FC pulled off a 4–1 win over Benfica in the 2025 Club World Cup Round of 16. With the victory, the English side moved on to the quarterfinals, where they’ll take on Palmeiras, who knocked out Botafogo in their own all-Brazilian clash.

Chelsea vs Palmeiras: first quarterfinal confirmed

This matchup between Chelsea and Palmeiras is the first officially set for the quarterfinal round. Enzo Maresca’s squad will be aiming to bounce back from their earlier loss to Flamengo in the group stage. On the other side, Abel Ferreira’s men are unbeaten against European opponents so far, including a scoreless draw with Porto.

A match that had everything with A bittersweet send-off for Di María

From weather delays and last-minute goals to extra time drama and a red card, this game had it all. After regulation ended 1–1—with goals from Reece James and Ángel Di María—it was Christopher Nkunku who stepped up in extra time, putting Chelsea ahead. Late strikes from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed the rout.

Benfica fought hard but were dealt a major blow when Gianluca Prestianni was sent off in extra time. The match also marked the end of Ángel Di María’s European career, as he’s set to return to Rosario Central. Despite their effort, the Portuguese side couldn’t keep up with the pace and precision of the English squad.

Before the storm delay, Chelsea had already grabbed the lead and looked in control. Once play resumed, they turned up the pressure and took full advantage of Benfica’s defensive lapses. Keeper Anatoliy Trubin kept the scoreline respectable for much of the game, but the floodgates eventually opened.

With a quarterfinal berth secured, Chelsea FC now looks ahead to a high-stakes clash against Palmeiras. The Brazilian side will aim to continue its dominant run, while the Blues hope to prove they’re serious contenders for the world title.