CHELSEA’S Club World Cup last 16 clash with Benfica was suspended with just five minutes remaining after a weather warning in the area.
Enzo Maresca’s side were winning 1-0 through Reece James’ clever free-kick, and on the brink of securing a quarter-final clash with Brazilians Palmeiras.
ReutersA storm saw Chelsea vs Benfica suspended[/caption]
GettyPlayers were removed from the playing surface[/caption]
ReutersReferee Slavko Vincic told the players to leave the pitch[/caption]
ReutersMarc Cucurella protested the decision to evacuate the playing surface[/caption]
DAZNThe stadium was empty as all the fans piles into the concourse[/caption]
But a severe weather warning around the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina brought any hopes of a smooth passage through to shuddering halt.
The game was immediately halted with all players removed from the pitch and taken inside.
A message displayed on the screens inside the ground told fans to take cover away from their seats and head for the concourse.
It read: “Seek cover protocol. Severe weather in the area. Seek cover.”
Fans were quick to take shelter and get themselves a drink and a bite to eat while they ducked away from the approaching storm before play could resume.
Heat in the area had hit highs of 33 degrees Celsius during the game.
Players were frustrated at the decision to delay the game, with Marc Cucurella seen protesting towards referee Slavko Vincic.
It was confirmed moments after the game was suspended that there would be a 30-minute delay before play could resume.
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However, that was wishful thinking as further reports of lightning in the area lengthened the delay.
And it was almost TWO HOURS before players were eventually allowed back on the pitch for a brief warm-up before finally returning to action.
While fans were allowed back into the stands to return to their seats, albeit with the majority heading home due to the extended delay.
Broadcaster DAZN reported that Blues players were growing increasingly frustrated with the delay – with Cole Palmer among stars coming out of the dressing room to ask what was going on.
Chelsea even posted pictures on their X account of doing keepy-uppies in the dressing room.
While static bikes were delivered to both sets of players so they could stay active.
There was under five minutes of regulation time left of the game when the decision was made to bring it to a halt.
The two sides had played out a lifeless 85 minutes in the tough conditions, with Chelsea leading 1-0.
The Blues were uninspiring as they played at pre-season pace to get the better of an even more lacklustre Benfica outfit.
Reece James‘ quick thinking from a wide free kick saw him find the bottom corner and give the few fans that made the journey to North Carolina something to cheer about.
The full-back used the sleepy atmosphere inside the stadium to catch out Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin with a near-post free-kick.
But the delay drummed up some serious drama, after the return to action saw Benfica earn an added time penalty after the ball hit into the hand of Malo Gusto.
That penalty was cooly converted by Angel Di Maria, levelling the scored and forcing extra-time.
Unbelievably, despite being scored in the same half, James’ goal and Di Maria’s goal were netted two hours and 36 minutes apart.
Extra-time proved to be just as dramatic as a red card was shown to Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, opening things up for Chelsea.
From there, the SW6 outfit turned on the flair and bagged three times in extra-time to seal a win and earn a place in the quarter-finals.
Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put Chelsea out of sight.
They now face Brazilian club Palmeiras in the next round on Saturday.
AFPReece James put Chelsea 1-0 up with a smart free-kick[/caption]
AFPHis quick thinking helped him get the better of Anatoliy Trubin and find the bottom corner[/caption]
GettyChristopher Nkunku scored the crucial goal to give Chelsea their lead back in extra-time[/caption]
ReutersKiernan Dewsbury-Hall got on the scoresheet with a well-taken chip[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
