On June 16, the first round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (Club World Cup) Group D group stage was held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the Premier League powerhouse Chelsea facing Los Angeles FC from the Major League Soccer. In the first half, Neto opened the scoring for the Blues with the assist of Jackson. In the second half, new player Delap came off the bench to complete his Chelsea debut and assisted Enzo to push the ball to seal the victory. In the end, Chelsea defeated Los Angeles FC 2-0 and got off to a good start in the Club World Cup.
In the 5th minute, Madueke broke through on the left and sent a straight pass. Jackson leaned on the defender and turned to shoot, but the angle was too straight and was confiscated by the goalkeeper. In the 7th minute, the Blues intercepted the ball on the left side of the frontcourt. Madueke broke into the penalty area and his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Palmer's follow-up shot was again resolved by the Los Angeles defense. In the 20th minute, Palmer shot with his left foot at the top of the arc, and the ball was slightly higher than the crossbar. In the 30th minute, Neto made a breakthrough on the right and made a cross. Madueke's header at the back point was slightly off the target.
In the 34th minute, Chelsea finally broke the deadlock. Jackson sent a precise through ball from the midfield. Neto, who inserted on the right, drove straight into the penalty area. Facing the backup player, he calmly dribbled past the defense and shot with his right foot into the near corner. Chelsea led Los Angeles FC 1-0.
At the end of the first half, Chelsea led Los Angeles FC 1-0.
In the 52nd minute, Martinez dribbled into the penalty area and shot with his right foot, but the angle was too small and missed the post. In the 55th minute, Chelsea created a threat again. Neto sent a high-quality cross from the left, and Adarabioyo jumped high at the back post to head the ball, but the defender on the goal line made a great effort to clear it. One minute later, Los Angeles FC almost equalized the score. After receiving a long pass, Bouanga had a single shot, but was bravely saved by Sanchez's push shot. In the 58th minute, Bouanga shot again from a small angle on the left side of the penalty area, but was still steadily confiscated by Sanchez.
In the 70th minute, Chelsea created an opportunity after continuous transmission on the right. Palmer shot directly in the penalty area without being marked, but the ball went over the crossbar. In the 78th minute, Los Angeles FC counterattacked on the left and played a continuous cooperation. Bouanga made a shovel shot at the empty goal at the back post, but the ball hit the post and missed the best opportunity to equalize.
In the 79th minute, new aid Delap, who came on as a substitute in the second half and made his Chelsea debut, had a highlight moment. He broke through on the right and made a cross. Enzo followed up in the middle in time and calmly pushed the ball into the goal in front of the goalkeeper. Chelsea leads Los Angeles FC 2-0.
Finally, at the end of the game, Chelsea defeated Los Angeles FC 2-0 with goals from Neto and Enzo, making a good start in the Club World Cup.
Starting lineups of both teams:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): 1-Sanchez/3-Cucurella, 6-Colville, 4-Adarabioyo, 24-James (46'27-Gusto)/25-Caicedo (84'14-Esugo), 45-Lavia (46'8-Enzo)/7-Neto, 10-Palmer (84'18-Nkunku), 11-Madueke (63'32-George)/15-Jackson (46'9-Drap)
Los Angeles FC (4-3-3): 1-Lori/14-Palencia, 33-Long, 4-Segura, 24-Hollingschader/6-Jesus (81'23-Amaya), 8-Delgado (87'20-Yeboa), 11-Tillman (87'5-Santos)/27-Ordaz (38'30-Martinez), 99-Buanga, 17-Ebobisi (46'9-Giroud)
