• Tyrique George to start?
• Neto, Delap, Caicedo, Cucurella, Tosin and James all have yellow cards.
• Midfield conundrum.
Reaction to Chelsea's 3-0 win over ES Tunis
Chelsea delivered a controlled performance to defeat ES Tunis 3-0 in their final Group D match at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, securing their place in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Tosin Adarabioyo headed in a well-placed free-kick from Enzo Fernandez. Moments later, Liam Delap marked his first Chelsea goal with a brilliant individual effort, turning past two defenders and slotting home after a chipped pass from Fernandez.
In the second half, Chelsea maintained their grip on the game, with substitute Tyrique George sealing the victory in the 90+7th minute with a low drive that slipped through the grasp of ES Tunis goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.
Despite a brief scare when a penalty was awarded for a handball but later overturned by VAR, Chelsea’s professional display ensured no way back for the Tunisian side. Manager Enzo Maresca, who rotated his squad heavily, praised the team’s patience and ability to capitalize on key moments, setting up a last-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday.
Liam opens his Chelsea account in style. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ynwaIRKB2Q
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 25, 2025
Enzo Maresca press conference
Updated here in due course...
Benfica vs Chelsea preview
Chelsea are set to take on Portuguese giants Benfica in a highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 clash at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday at 9pm BST.
Fresh off a commanding 3-0 victory over ES Tunis, Enzo Maresca’s Blues are brimming with confidence, having showcased their attacking flair and defensive resilience.
Benfica, led by manager Roger Schmidt, pose a significant challenge with their dynamic attacking play and experience on the global stage. The Eagles, who topped their group with a perfect record, will rely on the experience of Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi to test Chelsea’s resilience.
With both teams known for their high-pressing styles, this encounter promises to be a tactical battle. Chelsea will need to stay sharp to counter Benfica’s quick transitions and capitalize on their own chances to secure a quarter-final spot in this expanded Club World Cup.
Predicted Chelsea XI
Enzo Maresca will most likely opt to rotate his squad again, with key players like Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and Pedro Neto coming back in.
With the likes of Neto, Delap, Caicedo, Cucurella, Tosin and James all on yellow cards, Chelsea will have to play very cautiously if they go through to the quarter-finals.
The starting XI will be fairly obvious, with the debates being who starts LW and CM. On the left wing it will be between Noni Madueke and Tyrique George and CM will be between Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos.
This is the team we have opted for. Let us know your thoughts on our social media channels.
My team to face Benfica. Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/3w9z4bPTkM
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) June 27, 2025
