Chelsea FC secured a thrilling 4-1 victory over Benfica in extra time during the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 at Bank of America Stadium, advancing to the quarter-finals despite a weather-induced suspension and a late equaliser.

The match, marked by intense drama, showcased Chelsea’s resilience and attacking prowess, with goals from Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealing their place against Palmeiras in the next round.

The game began with Chelsea asserting dominance, as Marc Cucurella tested Benfica’s defense early. In the 20th minute, Cucurella struck a fierce shot from inside the penalty area, only for a Benfica defender to clear it off the line with a timely header.

He came close again in the 38th minute, receiving a precise pass and firing toward the left post, but Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a fine save to keep the score level.

Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when captain Reece James showcased his set-piece expertise. From a free-kick 25 yards out, James curled a precise shot into the bottom left corner, beyond Trubin’s reach, igniting celebrations among the Chelsea faithful.

The Blues maintained their 1-0 lead as the match neared its conclusion, but a thunderstorm warning in Charlotte disrupted proceedings in the 86th minute, forcing a nearly two-hour suspension due to FIFA’s safety protocols, which mandate a 30-minute delay for lightning within a 10-mile radius.

When play resumed, the match took a dramatic turn. In the 92nd minute, referee Slavko Vincic signaled for a VAR review after a handball by Chelsea’s Malo Gusto.

The decision went Benfica’s way, and Angel Di Maria stepped up in the 95th minute, coolly slotting a penalty down the middle to equalize at 1-1, sending the game into extra time.

Benfica’s hopes were dealt a blow early in extra time when substitute Gianluca Prestianni received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Levi Colwill, reducing the Portuguese side to 10 men.

Chelsea capitalized on their numerical advantage in the 108th minute when Christopher Nkunku pounced on a rebound, firing into the roof of the net to restore Chelsea’s lead at 2-1.

The Blues’ momentum surged, and in the 115th minute, Pedro Neto showcased his flair, creating space in the box and slotting a precise shot inside the left post to make it 3-1.

Two minutes later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed the 4-1 rout, collecting a well-timed pass and rifling a shot into the right post.

Chelsea’s clinical finishing in extra time overwhelmed Benfica, who struggled to mount a comeback despite Di Maria’s earlier heroics.

The victory highlighted Chelsea’s depth and tactical discipline under Enzo Maresca, who navigated the challenging conditions and a resilient opponent.

Chelsea’s unbeaten record against Benfica, now five wins in five competitive meetings, remains intact.

The Blues, who previously defeated Benfica in the 2011-12 Champions League quarter-finals and the 2013 Europa League final, will now face Palmeiras, who advanced after a 1-0 win over Botafogo.