In a thrilling clash for the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16, Benfica and Chelsea drew 1-1 in regular time and are now fighting for a quarterfinal spot in extra time at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The match, marked by intense moments, cards, and a decisive goal from Ángel Di María, entered extra time with Benfica pressing after Gianluca Prestianni’s expulsion. The game, briefly halted due to weather conditions, remains open at the 13-minute mark of the first extra-time period. Fans are on edge, eagerly awaiting each play as both teams vie for advancement.
The duel started with high intensity, with Chelsea creating early chances but struggling against Benfica’s solid defense. The match took a dramatic turn with Prestianni’s red card at the 2nd minute of extra time. Di María’s penalty goal at the 49th minute of the second half gave Benfica the edge late in regular time.
- Key moments so far:
- Prestianni’s expulsion at the 2nd minute of extra time, leaving Benfica with 10 players.
- Di María’s goal at the 49th minute of the second half from a penalty kick.
- Game paused in the second half due to adverse weather conditions.
The match continues with Chelsea aiming to capitalize on their numerical advantage, while Benfica relies on quick counterattacks to extend their lead.
Red card shifts game dynamics
At the 2nd minute of the first extra-time period, Benfica’s midfielder Gianluca Prestianni received a second yellow card for a harsh foul on Levi Colwill. The confirmed red card changed the game’s flow, forcing Benfica into a more defensive stance. Despite being a man down, the Portuguese side maintained tactical discipline, with Otamendi anchoring the defense and Di María orchestrating dangerous plays.
Chelsea, led by coach Enzo Maresca, sought to exploit the gap left by their opponents. Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer, the Blues’ main attacking threats, created chances but were thwarted by goalkeeper Trubin’s steady performance. The crowd, undeterred by the unstable weather, remained lively, cheering both teams in a high-stakes encounter.
Di María’s late regular-time goal
The pivotal moment in regular time came at the 49th minute of the second half when Ángel Di María converted a penalty after Gusto handled the ball in the box. The Argentine calmly waited for goalkeeper Robert Sánchez to move and rolled the ball slowly into the net, igniting Benfica’s fans. The play stemmed from a Di María free kick that found Otamendi in the area, leading to Gusto’s handball after a VAR review.
Before the goal, Benfica had been pressing, with Di María and Akturkoglu creating opportunities. At the 52nd minute of the second half, Di María received a pass from Akturkoglu in the box but shot straight at the defense. Chelsea countered with plays from Palmer and Dewsbury-Hall but couldn’t break through the opposition’s backline.
Weather-related pause
An unexpected disruption marked the second half. At the 40th minute, the game was halted due to adverse weather conditions, with lightning near Bank of America Stadium. The 30-minute pause sent players back to the locker rooms. English media reported that players returned to the field for warm-ups at 7:45 PM, and the match resumed at 8:07 PM after a tense wait.
The forced break didn’t slow the game’s pace. Both teams came back with vigor, and Benfica capitalized on the moment to push forward. Substitutions like Tiago Gouveia and João Veloso refreshed the Portuguese side, while Chelsea bolstered their attack with Nkunku.
Minute-by-minute key plays
The match was packed with defining moments, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Below are the main events up to the 13th minute of the first extra-time period:
- 1’ (1st extra time): Prestianni sent off with a red card after a hard foul on Colwill, reducing Benfica to 10 players.
- 49’ (2nd half): Di María scores from a penalty after Gusto’s handball, securing a 1-1 draw.
- 46’ (2nd half): VAR confirms penalty for Benfica after reviewing the handball incident.
- 40’ (2nd half): Game paused due to weather, resuming after 30 minutes.
- 5’ (1st extra time): Akturkoglu receives from Belotti and shoots hard, but Sánchez saves.
These moments underline the match’s intensity, with Benfica seizing opportunities and Chelsea pushing to respond under pressure.
Standout individual performances
Ángel Di María was Benfica’s star performer so far. Beyond his penalty goal, the Argentine was heavily involved in attacking plays, delivering precise passes and constant movement. Akturkoglu also shone, creating chances and troubling Chelsea’s defense. For the Blues, Cole Palmer was the key playmaker but was stifled by Dahl and Otamendi’s marking.
Benfica’s goalkeeper Trubin delivered a composed performance, making crucial saves on shots from Gusto and Palmer. Chelsea’s Robert Sánchez also performed well, notably stopping Akturkoglu’s powerful shot at the 5th minute of extra time.
Tactical approaches
Benfica, coached by Bruno Lage, deployed a 3-4-3 formation, focusing on quick transitions and wing play. Tiago Gouveia’s second-half entry strengthened the right flank, while Di María roamed between lines to create space. Prestianni’s red card forced the team to drop back, with Otamendi and António Silva taking charge defensively.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, used a 4-3-1-2 setup, with Palmer as the central attacking midfielder and Pedro Neto and Delap up top. Substitutions like Nkunku and Gusto aimed to add depth, but a lack of precision in finishing prevented the Blues from regaining the lead.
Extra-time pressure
With one player less, Benfica faces challenges in extra time but remains dangerous on the counter. At the 9th minute of the first extra-time period, Belotti delivered a superb pass to Di María, who nearly set up Akturkoglu for a goal. Chelsea ramped up the pressure, with Pedro Neto crossing into the box and Palmer attempting individual runs.
The crowd at Bank of America Stadium continues to back both teams despite the unsteady weather. The match, already past 60 minutes of regular time, promises more drama in the final moments of extra time.
Match numbers and data
The game has seen balanced stats so far. Chelsea held more possession (55%), but Benfica was more clinical in their shots, with 8 attempts compared to Chelsea’s 6. The match also featured fouls, with 5 yellow cards (3 for Chelsea, 2 for Benfica) and 1 red card.
The weather delay, though unusual, isn’t unprecedented in Charlotte, where summer storms are common. The FIFA Club World Cup organizers acted swiftly to ensure player and fan safety.
Decisive upcoming minutes
At the 13th minute of the first extra-time period, Chelsea looks to exploit their numerical edge, while Benfica digs in to protect the draw. Set pieces, like Di María’s free kicks, remain a weapon for the Portuguese side. Chelsea relies on Pedro Neto’s speed and Palmer’s creativity to break through the opposition’s defense.
The contest remains wide open, with both teams showing determination to secure a quarterfinal spot. Fans await the next plays as the scoreline hangs in the balance.
