⚽ Match Recap: A Storm-Interrupted Thriller
Chelsea’s Club World Cup clash against Benfica turned chaotic as severe weather forced a massive delay in the closing stages. With Chelsea leading 1–0 thanks to Reece James’ stunning 64th-minute free-kick, the match was abruptly halted in the 85th minute due to lightning warnings near the stadium.Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca Slams Weather Delay During Club World Cup Match vs Benfica
Players, coaching staff, and fans were evacuated as a safety measure, and the game was paused for a staggering 1 hour and 53 minutes, causing confusion and fatigue for both sides. The total duration of the match ended up exceeding four and a half hours, an extremely rare occurrence in professional football.
💢 Maresca Calls It a “Joke”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was furious after the match, calling the long delay “a joke” and stating:
“This is not football. You stop for two hours. What kind of football is this?”
Maresca also questioned the United States as an appropriate host for such major international tournaments, saying:
“It’s happened in six or seven games now. If you stop every time there’s lightning, maybe this is not the right country to host these events.”
🌀 After the Storm – The Game Resumes
When the game finally resumed, Benfica equalized via a penalty, capitalizing on a handball decision. But Chelsea regained composure during extra time, scoring three more goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, sealing a commanding 4–1 win.
Chelsea now advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face Palmeiras.
🔥 Extreme Weather Raises 2026 World Cup Concerns
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Multiple matches in the Club World Cup have already been delayed due to extreme weather — intense heat, thunderstorms, and lightning alerts.
- Several teams, including Chelsea, had to cancel training sessions in Philadelphia due to temperatures soaring above 38°C (100°F).
- Matches have seen players herded off the field for safety, leaving stadiums partially empty as fans departed early.
- Critics are now seriously questioning if the U.S. is equipped to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, considering the unpredictability of weather in some regions.
📌 Quick Summary
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | Chelsea vs Benfica (Club World Cup) |
| Delay Duration | 1 hour 53 minutes |
| Final Score | Chelsea 4–1 Benfica |
| Maresca’s Reaction | Called delay “a joke” and “not football” |
| Weather Impact | Lightning + heat disruptions in 6+ games |
| Next Match | Chelsea vs Palmeiras (Quarterfinal) |
| Broader Issue | Raises doubt about U.S. 2026 WC readiness |
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