KLIK SAJA - An exciting all-European clash between Benfica and Chelsea is set to take place at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, as the two sides face off in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup this Saturday (local time).
The winner of this high-stakes encounter will book a place in the quarter-finals on July 5, where a Brazilian opponent — either Palmeiras or Botafogo — awaits.
Making their debut at the Club World Cup, Benfica have impressed so far by topping Group C with seven points from three matches.
Their campaign began with a dramatic 2-2 comeback draw against Boca Juniors, followed by back-to-back victories over Auckland City and Bayern Munich.
Just four days after thrashing Auckland 6-0 in Orlando, the Eagles traveled over 500 miles to Charlotte and edged out Bayern 1-0 on Tuesday.
Andreas Schjelderup scored the decisive goal in the 13th minute, while goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin delivered a standout performance in sweltering 37°C heat.
As Primeira Liga runners-up, Benfica surprised many by beating Bayern to first place in Group C.
Head coach Bruno Lage later remarked that his side had been underestimated before their historic win over the Bundesliga giants, urging fans to “believe more in the work we’re doing.”
Had Benfica finished second, they would have faced Brazilian heavyweights Flamengo. Instead, they now face a familiar and formidable foe in Chelsea — a team that has beaten them in all three previous meetings.
The most painful of those defeats came in the 2013 UEFA Europa League final, where Benfica conceded a 90th-minute goal to lose 2-1 in Amsterdam.
That result remains one of 21 losses in 40 encounters with English clubs (W11 D8).
Following a 3-1 loss to Flamengo in their second group match, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca rang the changes — making eight adjustments to his lineup — and was rewarded with a commanding 3-0 win over Esperance Tunis in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Summer signing Liam Delap netted his first goal for the Blues just before half-time, moments after Tosin Adarabioyo headed in the opener.
Substitute Tyrique George then added a third in the dying seconds to seal Chelsea’s passage to the knockout stage.
