Chelsea Defeat LAFC 2–0 in Club World Cup Opener as Delap Shines on Debut

Chelsea opened their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a dominant 2–0 win over LAFC at the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, June 16, 2025.

Pedro Neto Opens the Scoring

Chelsea set the tone from the first whistle, dominating possession and testing LAFC’s defensive shape. Their breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Pedro Neto latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Nicolas Jackson. Neto cut inside with precision and fired a composed shot past Hugo Lloris—LAFC's veteran goalkeeper and former Tottenham captain—giving Chelsea a deserved 1–0 lead.

Liam Delap Makes Instant Impact

In the 63rd minute, Enzo Maresca introduced young forward Liam Delap, and the new signing made an immediate impression. With energy and smart movement, Delap troubled the LAFC backline and played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s second goal. In the 79th minute, he delivered a pinpoint low cross into the box, which Enzo Fernández tapped in effortlessly, sealing a 2–0 victory for the Blues.

Tactical Control and Sparse Attendance

Chelsea enjoyed over 65% possession and registered 17 shots compared to LAFC’s 7, clearly outclassing their opponents in every department. However, the atmosphere inside the stadium was subdued, with only 22,137 fans in attendance—less than one-third of the venue’s 71,000-seat capacity—leaving entire sections visibly empty.

Reactions and Looking Ahead

Manager Enzo Maresca praised Delap’s maturity and impact in the post-match interview, stating the striker had "settled into Chelsea's system quicker than expected." Supporters echoed that sentiment on social media, with many calling Delap “world class” after his influential cameo.

Chelsea now top Group D and have two matches left in the group stage:

• Friday, June 20: vs. Flamengo (Brazil)

• Tuesday, June 24: vs. Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)

A top-two finish in the group will guarantee Chelsea a spot in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.

Conclusion

Chelsea’s 2–0 win was as professional as it was promising. With goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández, and a standout debut from Liam Delap, the Blues signaled their intent to go deep in the competition. While the empty seats may have dulled the ambiance, Chelsea’s performance spoke volumes.

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