Chelsea Cruise Past LAFC, Set Up Showdown with Flamengo
Chelsea secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in the group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that, for the first time, features 32 participating teams. So far, the competition has been free of major upsets — and this result followed that trend.
Empty Seats in Atlanta
The most striking image of the match came not from the pitch, but from the stands. The stadium in Atlanta appeared largely empty, marking a low point in tournament attendance. Some observers blamed the unusual 3:00 p.m. local kickoff time, but the lack of atmosphere raised questions, especially with a Premier League side like Chelsea involved.
Netu Shines, Chelsea Control the Game
On the field, Chelsea looked firmly in control. LAFC struggled to mount any meaningful counter-attacks in the first half, while the London side repeatedly tested veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. The Frenchman, who holds LAFC’s clean sheet record (24), couldn’t add to that tally — largely thanks to an excellent performance from Pedro Netu.
The Portuguese winger was named Man of the Match and scored the opener in the 34th minute, slicing through the right flank and finishing smartly after beating his marker — 1-0.
LAFC Fight Back, But Enzo Seals the Win
As seen with other American sides in this competition, LAFC improved after halftime. They pushed forward and created moments of danger but couldn’t find a breakthrough. The contest was effectively ended in the 79th minute when Enzo Fernández converted a slick team move involving Cole Palmer and substitute Liam Delap.
Final score: 2-0. Chelsea now face a much sterner test in their next Group D match — a clash with Brazilian league leaders Flamengo on 20 June.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Chelsea - Los Angeles FC 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Pedro Neto, 34 (1:0); Fernandez E., 79 (2:0)
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; James R. (Gusto, 46); Colwill; Adarabioyo; Cucurella; Lavia (Fernandez E., 46); Caicedo M. (Essugo, 84); Madueke (George, 64); Palmer Co. (Nkunku, 84); Jackson N. (Delap, 64); Pedro Neto
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Anselmino; Acheampong J. K.; Badiashile B.; Sarr; Chalobah; Andrey Santos; Dewsbury-Hall; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: James R. 36; Adarabioyo 45; Cucurella 75
Los Angeles FC: Lloris; Long A.; Palencia; Segura; Hollingshead; Igor Jesus (Amaya, 81); Bouanga; Delgado (Yeboah Y., 87); Tillman (Marlon, 87); Ordaz (Martínez D., 39); Ebobisse (Giroud, 46)
Bench: Ochoa; Hasal; Tafari; Chanot; Saldaña; Raposo; Holm; Wibowo
Yellow Cards: Martínez D. 58; Palencia 92
