
Benfica vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE: Club World Cup clash SUSPENDED with minutes to go as James' free-kick is the difference
CHELSEA are taking on Benfica in the last-16 of the Club World Cup RIGHT NOW.
Just past the hour mark, Reece James broke the deadlock after his free-kick flew past Anatoliy Trubin.
With minutes to go, the match was suspended due to extreme weather.
The winner of tonight's clash will face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
12 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
82. Maresca opts to make some changes.
Gusto, Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall all come for The Blues.
They replace Fernandez, Delap and James.
13 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
80. Delap gets to a ball in the box and takes it around the keeper before slotting it into the empty goal.
The celebrations are short-lived as the flag goes up for offside.
Chelsea thought they had given themselves some breathing space there.
14 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
78. What a miss from Benfica.
Aursnes does brilliantly out wide as he skips past Cucurella before picking a pass for Prestianni in the middle.
He tries a first-time shot but drags it well wide of the goal as he holds his head in his hands.
17 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
76. The Portuguese outfit are looking to throw caution to the wind more in the closing stages.
As a cross is played into the box, Belotti struggles to get it under his spell.
Not that it matters as a delayed flag for offside goes up.
19 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
74. All too often these Chelsea attackers hold onto the ball when there are better options available.
It costs them the chance to create a clear-cut chance on goal.
Sometimes attacking play is all about picking the right pass and not trying to do it all yourself.
21 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
72. We are having another hydration break.
Benfica have it all to do if they want to stay in this tournament.
It will also show us if Maresca's side are able to protect such a slender lead, something they failed to do all so often last campaign.
23 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
70. Benfica are making some changes to try and find a goal.
Belotti comes on for Pavlidis.
This is a much more open game now.
25 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
68. Badiashile is down receiving some treatment.
He seems to have pulled something.
It gives the managers the chance to get instructions out to their players.
27 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
66. You cannot argue that Chelsea deserve their lead.
Despite not creating many clear-cut chances, they have dominated this game.
Maresca's side look hungry for a second goal now.
28 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
64. James catches the keeper out at his near post.
He had left his goal to try and collect the incoming cross.
The Chelsea right-back spotted this and was able to catch him out.
30 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Goal - Reece James (Chelsea)
31 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
62. Florentina is shown a yellow card for Benfica.
He seemed to go through his man to try and win the ball.
Chance for Chelsea to get some good delivery into the box.
33 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
60. As Benfica throw more players forward, it leaves gaps in defence for Chelsea to exploit.
In some ways, this could work to the advantage of The Blues.
Not that you really want to invite teams onto you.
35 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
58. Aursnes looks to whip a cross into the middle.
Sanchez had come out to try and collect but was almost caught out as it headed towards his own goal.
He just about gathers it on the line to save his blushes.
38 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
56. Di Maria looks to thread a pass forward.
It is touched on but easily won back by the Chelsea defence.
Dahl wins a free-kick as a result of a Fernandez foul.
39 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
54. It feels a matter of time before Chelsea score.
Without Benfica offering anything in the final third, it all looks too easy for The Blues.
That said, if they don't score, it all counts for nothing.
41 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
52. James looks to clip a ball over the Benfica defence for Neto.
He gets it all wrong as it runs out harmlessly for a goal kick.
Despite all their attacking options, The Blues are struggling to break down their opponents' defence.
42 minutes ago By Kieran Davies
Benfica 0-0 Chelsea
50. Chelsea are looking to press high up the pitch.
Benfica are struggling to get out of their own half.
Fernandez is penalised for a foul on Otamendi.

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North Wales Chronicle
22 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sarina Wiegman delighted with England performance ahead of Euros opener
Ella Toone scored a brace either side of Lucy Bronze's header to give England a healthy advantage at the break. Wiegman's side flexed their muscles in the second period as Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Aggie Beever-Jones and Beth Mead got on the scoresheet to give England the perfect send-off before they face France in their first game at the Euros next Saturday. Victory in our #WEURO2025 send-off match! 🤩 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 29, 2025 'We played a good game,' the 55-year-old said. 'We were a lot in the final third, we scored seven goals which is really good, created a lot of chances and some moments could have been even more patient sometimes. 'But at the same time, scoring seven goals and more opportunities to score was really good. 'We know next week we have to take our game to the next level. But what we wanted to do was play a good game, entertain fans, getting ready for next week and getting everyone fit out of this game. 'It shows we have a good team and have many options and competition going on for positions. Today we had six different players score goals, which is nice going into the Euros and it shows the players can score goals.' Lauren James climbed off the bench in the second period as she made her first appearance since a hamstring injury in April. It did not take long for her to make an impact as she supplied the cross for Russo's goal shortly after her introduction. Wiegman added: 'We're still building her. She's worked so hard to be here where she is now. At Chelsea first, but then the last two weeks in training camps, she could do every single training session and did really well. Right place, right time, RUSSO! — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 29, 2025 'Now this is the first time she could get minutes and we hope next week we can keep building her going into France. 'Also there is a lot of competition going on upfront and in midfield so we've figured out over the last couple days how we will start.' England feared Mead picked up an injury when she went down holding her knee as the game ticked over into stoppage time. The fans had their hearts in their mouths when Mead received treatment on the field, but she was able to get up and carry on before she scored the last goal of the game. Wiegman said: 'It was a hit on her knee. She's OK, she's good. 'Everyone came out fit and healthy so it was just a hard knock. It looked horrible so we were a little bit scared too, but she could even score after that moment.'


The Guardian
24 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Lauren James sparkles in cameo as Wiegman looks to answer questions over starting XI
You should never read too much into the final warm-up game before a major tournament, should you? Try telling that to any of the 25,088 fans at the King Power Stadium, as they were singing Sweet Caroline at full time, waving proudly their flags of St George and rejoicing in the seven goals that England had put past Jamaica. In such goalscoring form, glory will surely be England's again ... No, you should still never read too much into the final warm-up game. Just ask the England men's team of 2016 who, on the eve of the European Championship that year, managed a 1-0 victory against Portugal – one of those sides went on to win the tournament, while the other was knocked out by Iceland. The Lionesses have been good at tricking us all, too; in 2019 they endured a shock defeat against New Zealand in Brighton shortly before travelling to France for a Women's World Cup, where they defied that abject performance to go on a run to the semi‑finals. Similarly, they made us endure a goalless draw with Portugal at Stadium MK before they flew to Australia in 2023 but that did not stop the Lionesses progressing all the way to their first World Cup final. What this match certainly did offer, though, was a strong indication of Sarina Wiegman's preferred starting side, just six days before her team will meet France in their Group D opener in Zurich. Since England's squad announcement, eight of the starting personnel have felt relatively nailed on, if they could all stay fit, with three key question marks remaining. The first of those was around the No 10 position, with Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Jess Park all bringing their own different qualities to the role. Sunday night proved to be Toone's chance and she took it in style, scoring twice inside the first half. She could have added a couple more, but her confidence-boosting double was timed perfectly and she will fly to Switzerland on Monday with an extra spring in her step. She is a player whom Wiegman has routinely trusted for the big occasions and those two words adequately describe the meeting with a hugely talented France side. The second question was: 'Who will start at left-back?', with Jess Carter and Niamh Charles both in contention. A significant clue was provided on Saturday when Carter was handed the pre‑match media responsibilities. The Gotham FC defender did indeed get the nod on a warm evening in the East Midlands, and she took her opportunity well. In the first half particularly, she combined nicely down the flank with Lauren Hemp, underlapping to good effect, as well as combining for one‑twos with Georgia Stanway and making strong bursts into the box to aid the attack. Carter's match fitness also looks strong, which is perhaps a byproduct of her being in the middle of her club season in the NWSL. The third question surrounded the right-sided forward role, a position where England are stacked with world-class options, with Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly and Lauren James all offering pedigree. James's return from a hamstring injury sustained in April meant she was only on the bench, with Wiegman saying on Saturday that she would manage James's minutes, but when the Chelsea forward was introduced in the second half her skill level immediately stood out. Jamaica defenders tried to stop her but there was little they could do as she toyed with her markers, skipped away from challenges and demonstrated her effortless ability to progress the ball up the pitch. Interestingly, though, she was doing so from a central, No 10 position after being brought on to replace Toone, while Mead played 90 minutes on the right and Kelly – who can also play anywhere across the forward line – was introduced on the left flank, when Hemp was given a rest. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion James flourished in the more central, free role, and dinked a perfect cross to the far post for Russo to score with 19 minutes remaining, in the middle of a Mexican wave that was circling around the stands. It was as if James had felt offended by the insinuation that this dynamic and free-flowing performance was not entertaining enough and so she served up something special. By the end of the game, as Mead tucked in the seventh, all of the players were oozing confidence, and perhaps the main takeaway there is that – whoever Wiegman picks – England's attacking options from the bench look dangerous enough to worry any of the 15 other defences that will be contesting this European Championship. Perhaps James's and Kelly's late cameos were enough to prove they should take on France from the start. Or perhaps not. You should never read too much into the final warm-up game.


The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Next Club World Cup ‘could be held in WINTER' as new nation mulling bid to host tournament
A players union are set to address welfare concerns in a press conference on Monday BOLD BID Next Club World Cup 'could be held in WINTER' as new nation mulling bid to host tournament IF the next Club World Cup is held during winter it would play havoc with the Premier League schedule. Qatar have expressed an interest in hosting Fifa's expanded tournament after its inaugural showing in the United States this summer. 3 Qatar has expressed interest in bidding to host the 2029 Club World Cup 3 The Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup final But due to extreme temperatures during Qatari summers, the nation would have to host the Club World Cup in December, like they did with the 2022 World Cup. Qatari representatives held talks with Fifa's highest ranking officials in the US about a possible swap last week, according to The Guardian. The Middle East nation has shown a desire to stage the next edition in four years' time in December 2029. But this would be fiercely opposed by European leagues, including the Premier League, because of the disruption it would cause to domestic seasons. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Qatar's summer bid for the 2022 World Cup was moved to winter due to the extreme climate, forcing every domestic league to pause for more than a month. But those in the Middle East have put forward a strong sales pitch to Fifa, claiming they could host a carbon-neutral Club World Cup. The current tournament has involved teams flying all over the US with venues in 11 different cities. The nine stadiums Qatar built to host the World Cup remain in place, and could be used meaning they could minimise staging costs and travel for fans. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Players have complained about the weather conditions at the Club World Cup, with Chelsea's last-16 win over Benfica suspended for TWO HOURS due to "the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium". It was the sixth game of the tournament that has been suspended due to seasonal summer thunderstorms, with players launching huge complaints. Chelsea vs Benfica SUSPENDED with just five minutes left as referee takes players off due to severe lightning storm 3 Chelsea's 4-1 win over Benfica nearly went on for five hours on Saturday Stars from several clubs have complained about the conditions and the global players' union FifPro is due to address their welfare concerns in a press conference on Monday. Experts also warned players to prepare for frequent weather-related delays at the 2026 World Cup hosted in the US, Mexico and Canada next year. And while the date has yet to be confirmed there is widespread expectation that the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will be shifted to the winter.