Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in style with a comfortable 2-0 win over LAFC at the half-empty Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Despite LAFC’s early burst of energy, Chelsea quickly took control of the match.
Within the first 15 minutes, the English club dominated midfield with a mix of precision and flair. Cole Palmer, now sporting the number 10 jersey, set the tone with a curling effort, while Nicolas Jackson provided the smart pass that found Pedro Neto. Neto left his marker behind and coolly finished past Hugo Lloris to open the scoring in the 34th minute. ⚽
LAFC had to scramble for a replacement when Nathan Ordaz suffered a knock on the head, bringing David Martinez into the fray. Although LAFC showed moments of promise, Chelsea's growing control kept the pressure firmly on.
The second half saw Chelsea deepen their advantage. Summer signing Liam Delap, who came on for Jackson in the 64th minute, made an immediate impact by assisting Fernandez for the clinching goal. This well-executed play sealed a 2-0 win and sent a strong message as the tournament kicked off.
From strategic substitutions to standout performances, this match was a testament to Chelsea's depth and teamwork. Stay tuned for more thrilling moments as the FIFA Club World Cup unfolds! 🎉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
