Chelsea's Stormy Victory Over Benfica Raises Doubts Over Club World Cup Hosting
What a bizarre night it was for Chelsea as they battled not just Benfica, but also the elements, to secure a 4-1 extra-time win and book a place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals. The chaos that unfolded in Charlotte was not just about football—it was a test of patience, endurance, and whether the United States is truly ready to host football's biggest stages.
Let’s start with what should’ve been a straightforward win. Chelsea were cruising—Reece James’s clever free-kick had them ahead, and they hadn't allowed a single shot on target. Then, out of nowhere, the skies opened up. A nearly two-hour weather delay turned what should’ve been a competitive football match into a logistical nightmare. Thunderstorms within an eight-mile radius forced everyone off the pitch. That stoppage, lasting one hour and 53 minutes, completely changed the dynamic of the game.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back after the match. He called it “not football” and questioned whether the U.S., facing its sixth storm-induced delay of the tournament, was the right place for such a high-level competition. And honestly, who could blame him? His team had been in control for 85 minutes, only for the rhythm to be shattered. After the break, Benfica equalized through a penalty from Ángel Di María, flipping the momentum entirely.
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But Chelsea regrouped in extra time. After Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni saw red, the Blues came alive again. Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found the net to put the match to bed—finally, after an exhausting four hours and 38 minutes.
Still, the win didn’t erase the frustration. Players spent the delay cycling, doing kick-ups, and calling loved ones to ensure they were safe. “It’s not normal,” Maresca repeated, citing the atmosphere as more of a social gathering than a professional match. Reece James described the experience as “disruptive,” highlighting how hard it was to stay warm and focused in the humid, sticky Carolina air.
This wasn’t an isolated incident either. Across five U.S. cities, matches have been delayed for similar reasons. From Orlando to New Jersey, Nashville to Cincinnati, the combination of extreme weather and lack of roofed stadiums has caused widespread disruption. Even Chelsea’s training sessions in Philadelphia were cut short due to unbearable heat.
And here lies the big concern: if six matches in one tournament were paused due to weather, what will happen during the 2026 World Cup? Some stadiums like Atlanta’s are well-equipped with covered roofs, but most aren’t. Maresca isn’t just ranting—he’s raising valid questions. FIFA’s insistence on following strict safety protocols is understandable, but it’s also exposing logistical flaws that could overshadow the actual football.
So while Chelsea march on, the storm clouds linger—not just overhead, but over FIFA’s decision-making as well. The match may be over, but the debate about where and how we host football’s biggest spectacles is just heating up.
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