Pedro Neto’s dazzling run and end and Enzo Fernandez’s composed close-range strike gave Chelsea victory over a harmful Los Angeles FC facet and victory of their first recreation of the 2025 Club World Cup.
Winger Neto produced a fantastic Cruyff flip earlier than firing within the Thirty fourth-minute opener in Atlanta, the place the Premier League workforce dominated the primary half.
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After Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s reflex save denied Denis Bounga an equaliser after the break, Chelsea newcomer Liam Delap crossed for fellow substitute Fernandez to transform with 11 minutes remaining.
Chelsea are subsequent in motion in opposition to Brazilian league leaders Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday (19:00 BST), with LAFC going through Tunisian workforce Esperance on the identical night (23:00).
Neto’s GOLAZO deserves a glance from all angles! 🔥➡️
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Each recreation. Free. | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/PLelC5vSUz
— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC
There was an often acrimonious edge to proceedings within the Group D opener for either side, together with an altercation involving quite a few gamers at half-time.
Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud – a Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup winner at Stamford Bridge – got here on at half-time for Jeremy Ebobisse, whereas Reece James made means for Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia was changed by Enzo Fernandez within the opposition half.
David Martinez, who had supplanted ahead Nathan Ordaz within the thirty eighth minute over a concussion concern, threatened twice early within the second half, exhibiting his intent most impressively when the 19-year-old shifted previous Marc Cucurella contained in the field, solely to fireside nicely broad.
Nicolas Jackson had a header cleared off the road earlier than Denis Bounga, who gained the MLS Golden Boot with LAFC in 2023 and has eight objectives and 5 assists within the league in 2025, went closest to an equaliser.
Gabon worldwide Bounga bypassed Neto and drlled in a low shot from an angle that was alertly turned away by Robert Sanchez with the goalkeeper’s proper foot at his close to put up.
78′ GOAL! Enzo Fernandez doubles the lead with an help from Delap: 2-0!
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Each Sport | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/BMaRisGMdG
— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
Liam Delap: Debut help for Chelsea signing
New £30 million signing Delap got here on shortly afterwards for Jackson, and the striker made the ultimate 10 minutes much less nervy for his facet by scampering on to Cole Palmer’s move and whipping in a cross from the fitting that was slotted in by Fernandez after the Argentina midfielder confirmed composure to take a contact in entrance of objective.
Fernandez, who produced a objective and help in Chelsea’s Conference League final win over Actual Betis of their earlier recreation, now has eight direct objective involvements in his final 9 appearances in all competitions.
Neto nearly scored with the ultimate kick of the sport, chopping inside from the left and fizzing a shot from outdoors the field in opposition to the crossbar and over.
