Chelsea secured their passage to the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisian side ES Tunis. Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, and Tyrique George sealed the win in a Group D match played under challenging conditions in Philadelphia.
The result confirms Chelsea’s second-place finish in Group D, positioning them to face Portuguese giants Benfica in the Round of 16.
Slow Start Amidst Difficult Conditions
Manager Enzo Maresca made significant changes to his starting lineup, eight in total, following the previous match. This rotation was partly a response to the intense heat and humidity in Philadelphia, described by Maresca as “impossible” for regular training and significantly impacting player welfare. Even at the 9 pm kick-off time, temperatures felt like 36C.
Perhaps understandably, the much-changed side took time to find cohesion against an ES Tunis team that initially defended deep with a low block. For a period, play appeared disjointed, with some players visibly struggling in the heat and adapting to the tactical setup, which included Gusto at an inverting left back and Dewsbury-Hall wide right.
Quickfire Goals Break the Deadlock
Despite the early struggles, Chelsea’s individual quality eventually shone through. The crucial breakthrough arrived in first-half added time from a set piece. Enzo Fernandez, captaining the side and delivering a precise free-kick, found defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who headed home firmly to open the scoring.
Momentum swung rapidly in Chelsea’s favour. Just moments later, Liam Delap, wearing the iconic number 9 shirt, doubled the lead with his first senior goal for the club. Receiving a pass from Enzo Fernandez, Delap showcased composure and skill, turning past a defender before finishing coolly. This goal, described as combining “brute strength with quick feet,” highlighted the potential of the £30 million signing and suggested he is embracing the pressure of the shirt.
Managing the Second Half and Securing the Win
With a comfortable two-goal cushion, the second half became an exercise in game management, a tactic Maresca seemingly adopted more effectively than in previous matches, especially given the heat. Chelsea controlled possession and sought opportunities to extend their lead.
There were moments of note, including a penalty initially awarded to Chelsea after a handball involving Christopher Nkunku, which was controversially overturned by VAR.
The match also saw opportunities for young prospects. Midfielder Andrey Santos made his long-awaited Chelsea debut in the second half, later joined by teenage defender Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo. Santos impressed, winning the overturned penalty and later assisting the third goal.
That third goal arrived in added time at the end of the match courtesy of substitute Tyrique George. His driven shot squirmed through the hands of the ES Tunis goalkeeper, sealing the 3-0 victory.
Performance Assessment and Looking Ahead
While the scoreline was convincing, external assessments characterised Chelsea’s performance as “not the most convincing, yet solid,” and “not elite on the night,” despite being the “best they’ve looked so far in the tournament.” Room for improvement remains, particularly regarding consistency and breaking down resolute defences more quickly. Maresca, however, called the performance “good,” especially after the first goal opened up the game.
Key performers included Player of the Match Enzo Fernandez (rated 8.5), Tosin Adarabioyo (8.4), and Liam Delap (7.8). The promising debuts of Santos, Sarr, and Essugo also offered a “glimpse at a bright Blues future.”
The win ensures Chelsea progresses as Group D runners-up, setting up a Last 16 clash against Benfica, who topped Group C. The match against Benfica, described as a “real threat,” is scheduled for Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina, the same venue where Benfica secured their group win.
Chelsea’s journey continues, with qualification achieved despite the challenges of heat and squad rotation. The focus now shifts to preparing for a tough knockout tie against Benfica.
Carefree. KTBFFH.
