CWC: Maresca's 'added-time masters' crush Tunisians and schedule a duel with Benfica

If anyone hasn't been aware of the importance of added time in football, last night's match between Chelsea and Esperance Tunis was a proper lesson. The Blues expectedly smashed the African side 3-0 - even though Enzo Maresca made some significant changes in the lineup - scoring all three goals in stoppage time!

The London crew dominated the game from the beginning but somehow failed to find the net until the dying minutes of the opening period. And then - a two-minute blitzkrieg!

Enzo Fernandez led the way with a brace of assists, while Tosin Adarabioyo and Liam Delap (with his maiden goal for the Blues) netted in the third and fifth minute of added time.

The second half was pretty much the same, as the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia had to wait for the very end of the match to see the third goal. In the 97th minute, Chelsea's future Tyrique George added his name to the scoresheet, putting the cherry on top of the Premier League side's victory.

CWC: Bavarians fall short against Benfica but avoid Chelsea in Round of 16

Regardless, the Blues finished second in Group D behind Flamengo, whose triumph in their clash eight days ago turned out to be decisive. The Brazilian team drew against Los Angeles 1-1, though the game was way more exciting than the duel between the English and Tunisian sides.

Namely, the two goals, scored by LA's Gabonese Denis Bouanga and Rubro-Negro's Wallace Yan, came late, in the 84th and 86th minutes, respectively, while the rivals hit the woodwork as many as five times!

Either way, Flamengo topped the group but seems to have got the short end of the stick, as they'll face Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 on June 29 in Miami. On the other hand, Chelsea will lock horns with Benfica a day before in Charlotte.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

Matchday 3

Monday

Atletico Madrid - Botafogo 1-0 (0-0)

/Griezmann 87/

Seattle - PSG 0-2 (0-1)

/Kvaratskhelia 35, Hakimi 66/

Tuesday

Inter Miami - Palmeiras 2-2 (1-0)

/Allende 16, Suarez 65 - Paulinho 80, Mauricio 87/

Porto - Al Ahly Cairo 4-4 (1-2)

/Mora 23, Gomes 50, Aghehowa 53, Pepe 89 - Abou Ali 15, 45+2 pen, 51, Romdhane 64/

Auckland - Boca Juniors 1-1 (0-1)

/Gray 52 - Garrow 26 og/

Benfica - Bayern 1-0 (1-0)

/Schejlderup 13/

Wednesday

Esperance - Chelsea 0-3 (0-1)

/Adarabioyo 45+3, Delap 45+5, George 90+7/

Los Angeles - Flamengo 1-1 (0-0)

/Bouanga 84 - Wallace Yan 86/

22:00: (1.22) Dortmund (6.50) Ulsan (12.0)

22:00: (4.10) Mamelodi (3.50) Fluminense (1.90)

Thursday

04:00: (1.90) Inter Milan (3.45) River Plate (3.80)

04:00: (5.30) Urawa RD (3.60) Monterrey (1.70)

22:00: (4.40) Juventus (3.50) Man.City (1.85)

22:00: (2.55) Wydad Casablanca (3.35) Al Ain (2.75)

Friday

04:00: (1.48) Al Hilal (4.40) Pachuca (6.75)

04:00: (9.00) Salzburg (5.90) Real Madrid (1.30)

***odds are subject to change***