June 16, 2025 – Atlanta — Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a professional 2‑0 win over MLS side Los Angeles FC, though the game was marred by a nearly empty Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Goals & Performances
- Pedro Neto broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a slick move from Nicolas Jackson and finishing sharply.
- Enzo Fernández sealed the win late on, converting a precise assist from debutant Liam Delap.
Delap Makes an Instant Impact
Arriving as a second‑half substitute, Liam Delap wasted no time—providing a key pass for Fernández’s goal and staking a claim for future playing time.
Atmosphere Already Under Scrutiny
Just 22,137 fans attended the match—well below the stadium’s 75,000 capacity. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca described the mood as “a bit strange,” anticipating a livelier scene when Flamengo plays next.
LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo pointedly remarked that Atlanta may love soccer less than Los Angeles, calling attention to poor turnouts.
What It Revealed
- Chelsea and LAFC were largely on par physically, but the Blues’ experience showed as they made their chances count.
- LAFC had opportunities, especially through Denis Bouanga, who threatened throughout but couldn’t convert.
- Despite the quiet stands, the broadcast did include interesting impromptu insights—such as ref‑cam footage capturing Neto’s goal, which stirred calls in England to introduce similar camera angles.
What’s Next?
- Chelsea will next face Flamengo on Friday in Philadelphia—expectation is for a full house and intense atmosphere.
- LAFC regroup for a clash with Espérance de Tunis on June 20 in Nashville.
In summary: Chelsea’s victory was decisive and professional, Delap made his mark, and Neto and Fernández scored with composure. But with the stadium half-empty, the mood was underwhelming. Fans and FIFA will be keenly watching Friday’s match to reignite the tournament’s momentum.
Information from The Times, Reuters, ESPN, The Guardian, Sky Sports, MLS Soccer, and The Guardian’s coverage of Carlos Neto’s debut cam streaming was used in this article.
