Benfica 0-1 Chelsea: Club World Cup clash delayed with Blues on brink of victory due to thunderstorms
A Reece James free-kick was the difference on the night.
Chelsea’s Club World Cup Last fixture against Benfica was brought to a half with under five minutes left due to severe weather conditions in North Carolina.
The match, held at Bank of America Stadium, came to an abrupt stop when a weather alert triggered a stadium-wide protocol. Match officials immediately escorted both teams off the pitch, with referee Slavko Vincic instructing players to return to the dressing rooms for safety reasons.
A warning message was displayed on screens throughout the stadium, advising supporters: “Seek cover protocol. Severe weather in the area. Seek cover.”
Fans were directed away from their seats and into the concourse areas to shelter from the impending storm. Many took the opportunity to grab refreshments while waiting for updates.
Temperatures during the match had soared to around 33 degrees with the heat adding to the already testing conditions before the thunderstorm arrived.
Chelsea were leading 1-0 when the match was suspended, following a largely uneventful game played at a sluggish pre-season tempo. The Blues had shown more composure than their Portuguese opponents, who struggled to create anything meaningful.
Weather Delay 🌩️
Match has been paused 😕
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The only goal came courtesy of Reece James, who caught Benfica’s defence napping with a smartly taken free kick. Spotting goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin off-guard, the Chelsea full-back curled the ball into the near post, giving fans something to celebrate in an otherwise quiet evening.
The delay, initially set at 30 minutes, was extended further as additional storms passed near the stadium.
Frustration among players was evident, with Marc Cucurella seen questioning the decision to evacuate the pitch. Despite his protests, safety protocols were held in place.
Chelsea looked set to progress but the match will now be overshadowed by yet another stoppage in the tournament due to weather conditions.
The 2026 World Cup is set to take place in the same location next year, leaving many fans questioning whether the US is fit to host such a prestigious event.