Chelsea's Young Squad Opens Club World Cup Campaign With Convincing Win
No one expected Chelsea’s Group D opener at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to be a stroll in the park. But the Blues showed grit and flashes of promise as they took down LAFC 2-0 in Atlanta’s electric Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Everything unfolded on June 16, where Chelsea’s patience and precision eventually picked apart a stubborn LAFC side determined to make history for American club soccer.
At first, LAFC played with a chip on their shoulder, setting up deep and frustrating Chelsea’s attacking trio. Fans might’ve wondered if the Premier League giants could break down that wall. The answer came in the 34th minute, when Pedro Neto found himself in just the right spot after a clean move created by Nicolas Jackson and Joël Kukare. Neto did the rest, slotting in clinically at close range. Chelsea finally had the breakthrough and you could feel the tension ease off their shoulders.
LAFC weren’t there just to make up the numbers, though. In the second half, they threw some real punches. David Martínez had two golden chances to level, the second skied over from inside the box, leaving LAFC fans groaning. Denis Bouanga also gave Chelsea’s keeper Robert Sánchez a scare, forcing a sharp stop at the near post. But those moments of promise fizzled out, and the game drifted away from the Californian side.
Then came Chelsea’s rookie spark. Liam Delap, making his Club World Cup debut, broke down the right with real urgency in the 79th and whipped in a ball that Enzo Fernández tucked away in textbook style. That second goal didn’t just kill off the match; it was a clear signal that Chelsea’s new faces are ready to step up when it matters.
Flamengo and ES Tunis Await as Group D Heats Up
Now things get even more demanding. Group D is a minefield this year, with Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo and Tunisian champions Espérance de Tunis waiting in the wings. Every point counts—one slip and the dream of reaching the Round of 16 could disappear. The group is a melting pot of styles: the South American flair of Flamengo, Tunisia’s disciplined defense, LAFC’s energy, and Chelsea’s mix of youth and steely resolve.
Flamengo, with their big-game reputation, are favorites on paper, but as we saw last season, no squad can relax for a second at this level. Espérance de Tunis have caused upsets before, especially with their compact setup and direct counterattacks—something Chelsea’s young defenders will need to be wary of.
For Chelsea, every fixture is a test of character. Coach Mauricio Pochettino is putting big trust in his younger stars; you see it with the minutes handed to Delap and Kukare. Even so, that composure under pressure and quick transition play, especially from Chelsea, will need to hold up when Flamengo’s forwards come charging. With players like Fernández pulling strings and Neto’s confidence soaring, the English giants are laying down an early marker. The rest of Group D has been warned: this Chelsea side might be young, but they’re not coming to Atlanta for the scenery.
