Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign took a dramatic turn as Brazilian giants Flamengo stormed to a 3-1 victory in Philadelphia, punishing the Blues for a disastrous second-half performance.
Despite taking an early lead through Pedro Neto’s composed finish in the 11th minute, Chelsea faltered after the break. Flamengo equalized with a Bruno Henrique tap-in at the back post, sparking a flurry of goals that left Enzo Maresca’s men reeling.
Chelsea’s woes deepened when Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, reducing the Premier League side to 10 men. Flamengo capitalized swiftly, with Danilo netting a stunning strike to give the Brazilian side a 2-1 lead just three minutes later.
The final blow came from Wallace Yan, who sealed Flamengo’s qualification to the last 16 with a clinical close-range finish, leaving Chelsea with no way back.
Enzo Maresca fielded a strong lineup but expressed frustration post-match at his side’s inability to maintain composure under pressure. “We lost our discipline and paid the price,” he admitted.
The defeat leaves Chelsea needing to regroup quickly as they face an uphill battle to progress in the tournament. Meanwhile, Flamengo celebrates a statement victory that underlines their status as contenders on the world stage.
