Club World Cup: Chelsea Secure Last 16 Spot with 3-0 Win Over Esperance

Chelsea bounced back from their loss to Flamengo with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tunisian champions Esperance, securing a spot in the Club World Cup last 16.

Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Tyrique George also got on the scoresheet in the win.

The match, played in sweltering conditions at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, was decided by two goals in first-half stoppage time.

Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick led to Adarabioyo’s header, and Delap doubled the lead two minutes later with a well-taken finish. George sealed the win with a late injury-time goal.

Chelsea finished second in Group D behind Flamengo, while Esperance were eliminated. “We know Liam is going to score goals with us, we don’t have any doubts about that,” said manager Enzo Maresca, praising Delap’s performance.

Maresca made eight changes to his starting lineup, citing the heatwave in Philadelphia as the reason for squad rotation. “I said yesterday that it was impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions is not possible,” he explained.

The win sets up a last 16 match against Benfica, who topped Group C after beating Bayern Munich.

Maresca acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Benfica is a top club with a top manager and top players and it is going to be tough, but from 32 we are now in the last 16 and the next target is to try to be in the last eight.”

Delap’s goal marked a significant moment for the young striker, who had previously hit the post in the match against Flamengo. “Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals so that means he is there, in the right position, he is doing well,” Maresca added.

The Blues will now travel to Charlotte to face Benfica on Saturday, looking to progress to the quarterfinals.

PUNCH