Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a confident 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, June 16, 2025. Despite a largely sparse crowd of just 22,137 fans in a 71,000-capacity arena, the Blues showcased moments of quality and depth that hint at their ambitions for the tournament and beyond.
The match marked a historic first competitive meeting between an English club and a US team, with Chelsea fielding a strong lineup under head coach Enzo Maresca. The starting XI featured Robert Sanchez in goal; a back four of Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella; midfielders Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia; and an attacking quartet of Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Nicolas Jackson.
LAFC, led by head coach Steve Cherundolo, posed a spirited challenge with World Cup winners Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris in their ranks. However, the MLS side struggled to convert their chances, despite some threatening moments from Denis Bouanga and substitute David Martinez.
The first half saw Chelsea gradually assert control, carving out several promising opportunities. Nicolas Jackson’s sharp movement and skill unsettled the LAFC defense early on, culminating in a brilliant assist for Pedro Neto’s opening goal in the 34th minute. Jackson received the ball near midfield, sent a perfectly weighted through ball to Neto, who deftly sidestepped his marker on the slippery surface before firing a powerful shot past Lloris into the near post.
Pedro Neto’s goal was a testament to Chelsea's attacking flair and clinical finishing. Prior to the breakthrough, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke had come close, with Madueke forcing an excellent save from Lloris. Chelsea’s dominance was reflected in their nine shots to LAFC’s one and 66% possession during the first half.
Despite Chelsea’s control, LAFC showed resilience after the break. The introduction of Olivier Giroud at halftime added a new dimension to their attack, and they created several chances that tested Robert Sanchez, who made crucial saves to keep the Blues ahead. LAFC’s David Martinez came close with a curling shot that skimmed off Giroud’s head, while Bouanga forced Sanchez into action multiple times.
Enzo Maresca made several tactical changes in the second half, bringing on Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez for Reece James and Romeo Lavia, respectively. Later, young talents Liam Delap and Dario Essugo made their debuts, replacing Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo. Delap’s introduction in the 64th minute injected fresh energy and attacking impetus into the Chelsea side.
Liam Delap, a £30 million signing from Ipswich Town this summer, impressed immediately. His powerful runs and direct style unsettled the LAFC defense. Notably, Delap provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez’s second goal in the 79th minute. Delap peeled wide to receive a pass from Cole Palmer and delivered a precise cross into the box. Fernandez controlled the ball expertly before slotting it past Lloris from close range, effectively sealing the win for Chelsea.
Delap later reflected on the competition for places, stating, “It is always good to have competition, this is football. It is an incredible club and it is always going to be incredibly hard. But you have to thrive off the competition.” His confident debut hints at a promising future for the England Under-21 forward at Stamford Bridge.
The match also featured moments of physicality and tension. Reece James received a yellow card in the 39th minute, and LAFC’s David Martinez was booked in the 58th. Chelsea’s defense had to be alert late in the game, with LAFC mounting pressure and nearly equalizing on a few occasions, including a last-ditch block from the Blues and a near miss from Bouanga following a cross from Timothy Tillman.
Despite the victory, Chelsea’s performance was not without flaws. The team showed signs of fatigue, understandable given the long season and travel demands. Head coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged the unusual atmosphere, commenting, “The environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty, not full.” The low attendance raised concerns, especially with the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted partly in the United States. Factors such as high ticket prices, minimal local marketing, and a 3 pm kickoff on a weekday contributed to the disappointing turnout, which starkly contrasted with Atlanta’s usual strong Major League Soccer support.
On the commercial and sporting front, Chelsea are already looking ahead. The Blues will return to their Philadelphia base to face Brazilian giants Flamengo on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field. Meanwhile, LAFC will take on Esperance de Tunis in Nashville the same day. The culmination of Group D is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, when Chelsea meet Tunis and LAFC face Flamengo.
This win marks Chelsea’s eighth victory in nine matches, including their recent Conference League final triumph, signaling a team in good form and eager to build on their success. The blend of experienced players and exciting new signings like Delap and Essugo provides optimism for the club’s ambitions.
In summary, Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta was a solid start to their Club World Cup journey. The goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, combined with the promising debut of Liam Delap, underline the team’s potential. However, the low attendance and some patchy moments on the pitch suggest there is room for improvement, both on and off the field, as the tournament progresses.
