Chelsea are set to battle SL Benfica in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 showdown tonight, June 28, 2025, at 9pm UK time (4pm ET) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Blues, coming off a commanding 3-0 victory over Esperance Tunis, face a formidable challenge against a Benfica side that topped Group C with a stunning 1-0 upset over Bayern Munich.
The winner will advance to the quarter-finals to face either Palmeiras or Botafogo in Philadelphia on July 4, making this a pivotal moment in Chelsea’s quest for global glory.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, secured second place in Group D with wins over LAFC (2-0) and Esperance, despite a 3-1 loss to Flamengo. Their recent performance against Esperance showcased squad depth, with goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap (his first for the club), and 19-year-old Tyrique George, who became Chelsea’s youngest Club World Cup scorer.
However, the Blues will be without striker Nicolas Jackson, serving the final match of a two-game suspension, forcing Maresca to rely on Delap and Christopher Nkunku up top.
Cole Palmer, rested against Esperance, is expected to start, with his eight assists and six goals in 2025 highlighting his pivotal role. Enzo Fernandez, set for his 100th Chelsea start, will anchor the midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Benfica, led by Bruno Lage, have been a revelation, topping Group C with a 6-0 thrashing of Auckland City, a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors, and the Bayern upset, driven by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s four crucial saves.
Angel Di Maria, with three penalty goals, and Vangelis Pavlidis (30 goals this season) lead a potent attack, while Nicolas Otamendi anchors a solid defense. Chelsea hold a historical edge, winning all three prior competitive meetings, including the 2013 Europa League final, but Benfica’s recent form suggests a tight contest.
Fans on social media are buzzing, with some praising Maresca’s rotation strategy, while others express concern about facing a confident Benfica side. Tickets for the match, starting at $75, are available via platforms like StubHub, with a 74,867-capacity crowd expected.
The game will stream free on DAZN, with Maresca’s pre-match press conference live on Chelsea’s website. A narrow Chelsea win is predicted, potentially via Delap’s scoring form, but a penalty shootout looms if Benfica’s resilience holds.
