Club World Cup: Chelsea Falls to LAFC

In Atlanta, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez led LAFC to a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in their Group D opener at the Club World Cup on Monday afternoon.

Neto struck first in the 34th minute, receiving an excellent downfield pass from Nicolas Jackson. He skillfully maneuvered past defender Ryan Hollingshead and sent a powerful shot past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The second goal, which provided crucial insurance for LAFC, came in the 79th minute. Liam Delap delivered a stunning cross to Fernandez, who finished with precision.

Despite the loss, Chelsea was dominant in possession, controlling the ball 65.3% of the time. They managed 17 shots compared to LAFC’s seven. Goalkeepers Sanchez and Lloris contributed with four and three saves, respectively.

A yellow card was issued to Chelsea during the first half, and a scuffle broke out between Neto and Dennis Banga, requiring intervention to separate the two players.

Throughout the first half, Chelsea maintained control, registering nine shots to LAFC’s single attempt. They nearly doubled their lead early in the second half, but Timothy Tillman deflected a shot from Neto just before it could reach the net.

For those interested in watching the FIFA Club World Cup, the matches are available for free on DAZN, requiring just an email address to sign up. A free account is necessary for access, although premium options—offering HDR picture and Dolby 5.1 surround sound—are available starting at $19.99 per month.

In the 57th minute, Bouanga had a golden opportunity to score for LAFC, but his shot was successfully blocked by Sanchez.

Looking ahead, Chelsea will take on Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday, while LAFC is scheduled to play Estunis in Nashville later that day.