FIFA Club World Cup scores, highlights: Boca blow two-goal lead in wild game vs. Benfica; Chelsea blank LAFC

On Monday, Group D kicked off play at the Club World Cup with Chelsea defeating Los Angeles FC 2-0, showing why they are one of the favorites to win the Club World Cup. The Blues got off to a good start with Liam Delap making his debut and assisting the second goal to Enzo Fernandez. The Black and Gold had to win a playoff with Club America to get into the tournament, replacing Club Leon, and they still put up a fight against the Blues.

Boca Juniors and Benfica took the pitch in Miami in a chaotic, red card-filled and goal-filled game, and then Flamengo closed out the night, surviving pressure from Tunisian side Esperance, winning 2-0 to keep pace with Chelsea before the duo squares off on Thursday.

Flamengo keeps pace

New signing Jorginho made his debut for Flamengo after joining from Arsenal, and it immediately made a difference. After Luiz Araujo assisted Giogian De Arrascaeta for the opening goal, Jorginho became the provider for Araujo’s important goal in the second half of play. Flamengo had to withstand waves of pressure from Esperance, who grew into things as they stayed within a goal, but when Flamengo got their insurance goal, they were off and running.

It was an important result, matching Chelsea’s goal difference while also setting up a meeting between Flamengo manager Filipe Luis and his former club that could determine who wins Group D. Backed by impressive support, the Brazilian club showed that they’re ready to play and push for a deep run at the Club World Cup.

Chelsea start off strong

It may have taken a bit for Pedro Neto to score Chelsea’s opening goal, but eventually their pressure wore down Los Angeles FC. The Blues were able to add another and were never troubled by the Black and Gold as they chased their second goal. New signing Delap made his Chelsea debut after joining from Ipswich Town and wasted no time showing what he can do, assisting Fernandez for Chelsea’s second goal.

The starting striker position is wide open for Chelsea, and with performances like this one, Delap is showing why Chelsea coveted him. Familiar with manager Enzo Maresca from his time in the Manchester City youth academy, it’s already clear why the Blues got him after he scored 12 goals and assisted two more with relegated Ipswich Town. LAFC can take positives from this loss as they did limit Chelsea’s chances, but with MLS sides struggling, they’ll need to improve to show MLS can get points in this competition.

Boca Juniors squander chance at big upset over Benfica

There’s no doubt that Boca Juniors fans love them some Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria. After all, how could they not? Heroes of Argentine soccer that helped lift the 2022 World Cup for Lionel Messi and company, they will forever have found memories of the two in the Argentina shirt — but on the club level, not so much.

Boca took a surprise 2-0 lead against the European team on Monday in Miami in their group stage opener, only to see both play huge roles the rest of the way. Otamendi drew a penalty kick late in the first half that Di Maria scored, and then the defender got free on a second-half corner to head home the equalizer in what was a chaotic and at times violent game.

Benfica’s Andrea Belotti got a red card in the second half for a boot to the head before Nicolas Figal was shown red for a ridiculous challenge on the touch line a tempers flared as the game went on.

In the end, the match finished with three red cards, but it was Boca’s inability to take advantage of a two-goal lead and then a one-man advantage with a one-goal lead. A win for Boca would have put one foot into the round of 16, but now it will likely all come down to what Boca and Benfica do against Bayern Munich, with Auckland City expected to lose to all three teams in the group.

How to watch the Club World Cup on DAZN

All matches will be airing for free on the DAZN app. From the group stage through the final, the games will stream around the world with no cost to access it. Click here to watch DAZN for free.