Despite a strong start with a 2–0 victory over Los Angeles FC in their opening Club World Cup match at the largely empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Chelsea failed to carry the momentum into their second fixture.
The Blues were thrashed 3–1 by Flamengo, despite taking the lead through Pedro Neto, who also scored in the win over LAFC. Chelsea’s joy was short-lived, as Bruno Henrique equalised in the 62nd minute, followed by goals from Danilo (65′) and Wallace Yan (83′).
The Brazilian club’s social media jibe that ‘Chelsea is a small neighbourhood in London’ appeared to sting even more as the match progressed. Just three minutes after Flamengo’s second goal, Nicolas Jackson was sent off, only four minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The result leaves Chelsea needing a win over African side ES Tunis on Tuesday to qualify for the last 16. However, even if they win, they could face the Group C winner.
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Flamengo, meanwhile, are set to top Group D and have maintained South America’s unbeaten record in the newly expanded Club World Cup.
In Group C, Munich secured their place in the knockout stage thanks to Michael Olise’s 84th-minute winner in a 2–1 victory over Boca Juniors in Miami Gardens. The reigning German champions previously opened their campaign with a stunning 10–0 win over Auckland City.
Elsewhere, SL Benfica cruised to a 6–0 win over the same Auckland side, who have now lost their last seven games in various editions of the competition by an aggregate score of 27–1.
Benfica will face Munich in their final group-stage match, while Auckland, having conceded 16 goals in just two games, will be heading home after their last fixture against Boca Juniors.
