In a dramatic turn of events at the FIFA Club World Cup group stages, Chelsea suffered a heavy 3-1 defeat to Flamengo on June 20, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Despite taking an early lead through Pedro Neto, the Premier League side imploded in a chaotic six-minute spell after the hour mark, allowing the Brazilian giants to overturn the scoreline and secure a vital victory.
Chelsea began the match brightly, with Neto putting the Blues ahead inside the first 15 minutes. Neto’s cool finish, slotting the ball under Flamengo goalkeeper Rossi, gave Chelsea a promising start and seemed to set the tone for the English side. The atmosphere was electric as the teams battled on a hot Philadelphia afternoon, with the stadium packed and fans from both sides passionately supporting their teams.
However, Flamengo, who had opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over LAFC earlier in the week, showed their resilience and tactical nous. The Brazilian side struck back emphatically in a six-minute burst of attacking brilliance after the 62nd minute. Substitute Bruno Henrique equalised with a neat tap-in at the far post, a goal that was quickly followed by an assist from Henrique to Danilo, who poked home to put Flamengo ahead. Both Henrique and Danilo, aged 34 and 33 respectively, demonstrated their veteran quality in turning the game around.
The momentum swung decisively against Chelsea when Nicolas Jackson, who had come on as a substitute, was sent off just four minutes after entering the pitch. Referee Ivan Barton brandished a red card after Jackson’s studs made contact with Lucas Ayrton’s shin in a reckless challenge. The incident was widely condemned, with former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel calling it “stupid, stupid, stupid,” highlighting Jackson’s history of costly red cards, including one in a crucial Premier League clash at Newcastle.
With Chelsea reduced to ten men, Flamengo capitalised further as 20-year-old substitute Wallace Yan scored his first goal for the club inside the final ten minutes, sealing a comprehensive 3-1 victory. The youthful winger’s goal was a fitting cap to Flamengo’s spirited comeback and underscored the depth and talent within the South American side.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was succinct in his post-match comments regarding Jackson’s dismissal, telling DAZN, “What do I think? It was a red card, nothing to say.” Maresca has yet to speak directly with Jackson following the incident but acknowledged the impact the sending off had on the game’s outcome.
Former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, now playing for Flamengo, praised his current team’s approach, stating, “I think it says it all. For the game and how it was, we played good football and did really well on the pitch. When we had to wait, we waited. When we had to press, we put them in trouble. We worked a lot on how we could hurt them, we believe in what we do and we push all together.” Jorginho added with a smile, “We found the little spots that could hurt them,” though he chose to keep those tactics a secret.
Flamengo manager Filipe Luis expressed pride in his squad’s performance and particularly lauded Bruno Henrique’s contribution. “I’m really happy. We believed that we would have chances and I am really proud. Bruno is special. It doesn’t matter if he plays one minute or 90, he always gives his heart,” Luis told DAZN. The victory keeps South American clubs undefeated in the newly expanded Club World Cup and positions Flamengo strongly to top Group D.
The defeat leaves Chelsea needing a win over African club ES Tunis in their next group match on June 24, 2025, to keep their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 alive. However, the loss also increases the likelihood that Chelsea will face the winner of Group C in the knockout stages, potentially Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich, complicating their path forward.
This match followed Chelsea’s promising 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC earlier in the tournament, where Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández found the net. That win had raised hopes that Chelsea could progress deep into the competition, but the Flamengo clash highlighted vulnerabilities, particularly in discipline and defensive concentration.
Adding to Chelsea’s challenges, winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been sidelined since December 2024 due to a doping investigation, formally charged by England’s Football Association. The $108 million signing has not appeared since the allegations surfaced, a significant blow to Chelsea’s attacking options during this crucial part of the season.
The Club World Cup continues to showcase the global talent and fierce competition between continents, with Flamengo’s victory underscoring the strength of South American football. Chelsea must regroup quickly to salvage their campaign and avoid an early exit from this prestigious tournament.
As the group stage unfolds, all eyes will be on Chelsea’s upcoming match against ES Tunis, where a win is imperative. Flamengo, buoyed by their comeback win and vocal supporters, look set to maintain their dominance in Group D and continue South America’s unbeaten run in the competition.
With the stakes rising and the quality of opposition intensifying, the FIFA Club World Cup promises more thrilling football and high drama in the days ahead.
