Flamengo secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Chelsea in a pulsating FIFA Club World Cup Group D match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, June 20, delivering a statement performance in the expanded 32-team tournament.
The Brazilian side’s clinical finishing and tactical discipline outshone the English Premier League outfit, propelling Flamengo to the top of their group and underlining their credentials as serious contenders in the competition running from June 14 to July 13, 2025.
Chelsea, coached by Enzo Maresca, struck first in the 13th minute through Pedro Neto, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Flamengo’s backline to take an early lead. The goal, which caught Flamengo off guard, came during a period of Chelsea dominance, with the Blues leveraging their high press and fluid wing play, as noted in pre-match analysis. However, Flamengo, under the stewardship of former Chelsea player Filipe Luís, responded with resilience, leveling the score in the 30th minute when Bruno Henrique latched onto a precise through-ball from Giorgian de Arrascaeta, slotting past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with composure.
The second half belonged to Flamengo, who exploited Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities to seize control. In the 62nd minute, Pedro put Flamengo ahead, heading in a well-delivered cross from Ayrton Lucas after a sustained spell of pressure. The Brazilian side’s third goal came in the 80th minute, with Pedro converting a low-driven shot following a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Gerson, sealing the 3-1 scoreline. Chelsea, despite introducing summer signing Liam Delap, struggled to regain momentum, with their attack stifled by Flamengo’s compact midfield led by Erick Pulgar and Jorginho, the latter making his Club World Cup debut for Flamengo after joining from Arsenal. It further got worse when striker, Nicolas Jackson was sent off after a foul play, making it harder for Chelsea to gain their ground.