Chelsea Defeats LAFC 2-0 in Club World Cup Debut: Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto Shine in Atlanta

In a captivating showdown between European royalty and MLS challengers, Chelsea F secured a commanding 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in their opening match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The match, played on June 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, saw goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández, helping the Blues kick off their tournament campaign in style.

Chelsea's Return to the Club World Cup: A Statement Made

After a season of rebuilding under new management and integrating rising stars, Chelsea returned to the **global stage** determined to prove their place among the world’s best. Their opponents, LAFC, came into the match unbeaten in 10 straight games across all competitions. But on the night, Chelsea’s European experience and quality shone through.

From the opening whistle, Chelsea dominated the ball. They kept LAFC pinned back with fluid midfield play and sharp movement in the final third. Their reward came in the 34th minute when **Pedro Neto**—a summer signing hailed for his creativity and work rate—slotted the ball home after a smart run and clever assist from **Nicolas Jackson**.

### LAFC Struggle to Find Footing Despite Strong Season Form

While LAFC entered the tournament as **Concacaf Champions**, their first match in the new expanded Club World Cup format proved to be a tough lesson in top-tier European football. Head coach **Steve Cherundolo** fielded a strong lineup, but his squad struggled to keep up with Chelsea’s pace and pressing.

Despite a few moments of promise—especially from Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga—LAFC’s attack lacked sharpness in the final third. Defensive lapses, coupled with an inability to build from the back, left them vulnerable throughout the game.

Cherundolo admitted after the match that his side made "uncanny errors" and failed to execute key moments, which ultimately cost them a chance at a better result.

### Liam Delap’s Dream Debut Ignites the Second Half

One of the standout stories of the match was the debut of 21-year-old **Liam Delap**, recently transferred to Chelsea and featuring for the first time in a major competition. Coming off the bench in the second half, Delap made an instant impact, assisting **Enzo Fernández** for Chelsea’s second goal in the 79th minute.

Delap showed composure beyond his years, receiving the ball under pressure, turning swiftly, and slipping a beautifully weighted pass to Fernández. The Argentine midfielder made no mistake, curling the ball past LAFC’s goalkeeper and sealing the win.

Chelsea manager **Enzo Maresca** praised the youngster's performance post-match, noting that Delap "showed exactly why we brought him in." Fans on social media echoed that sentiment, calling the English forward “a rising star” and “the future of Chelsea.”

### Attendance Concerns: A Quiet Crowd in a Massive Venue

While the match delivered on quality and drama, the atmosphere inside Atlanta’s **Mercedes-Benz Stadium** was surprisingly muted. The stadium, which can hold over **71,000 spectators**, hosted just around **22,000 fans** for the game. This sparked conversation online about scheduling, marketing, and overall interest in the new Club World Cup format in the United States.

Some fans questioned why the tournament didn't attract more attention, while others suggested that the format may still need time to gain traction with casual American soccer audiences.

Nonetheless, Chelsea players and coaching staff remained focused on the positives, emphasizing the importance of starting strong in a competition filled with world-class teams.

### What’s Next for Chelsea and LAFC?

With this result, Chelsea leads their group, which also includes **Flamengo** (Brazil) and **Espérance de Tunis** (Tunisia). Their next fixture is set for **June 20**, when they’ll face Flamengo in what is expected to be a much tougher test.

LAFC, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. They face Espérance on the same day in **Nashville**, and only a win will keep their knockout stage hopes alive. Coach Cherundolo is expected to make tactical changes, possibly giving more minutes to younger players in hopes of injecting energy into the squad.

### Final Thoughts: Chelsea’s Confidence Grows, LAFC Faces Reality Check

Chelsea’s victory is more than just three points—it’s a reminder of the gap between elite European clubs and developing sides in other regions. Still, the presence of LAFC at this stage is a sign of **Major League Soccer’s growing competitiveness** and ambition.

As the **2025 FIFA Club World Cup** unfolds in the U.S., matches like Chelsea vs. LAFC offer fans a rare chance to witness global matchups once limited to friendlies. For Chelsea, the goal remains simple: win it all. For LAFC, it's now about survival and redemption.


Chelsea vs LAFC 2025

FIFA Club World Cup USA

Pedro Neto goal Chelsea

Enzo Fernández Chelsea