Benfica vs Chelsea in the Club World Cup – Final Qualifiers

 

The Benfica vs Chelsea showdown in the expanded Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 is more than a qualifier—it’s a high-stakes, Champions League-style clash. The current format features 32 teams competing quadrennially in the U.S., elevating the tournament’s status. For Chelsea, stepping up is essential; for Benfica, it’s a chance to prove they belong on the biggest stage.

II. Match Essentials: Date, Time, Venue & How to Watch

• Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 9 pm BST / 4 pm ED T (local Charlotte time) 

• Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina 

Where to Watch:

• DAZN (Global broadcast)—accessible free with a DAZN ‘Freemium’ account, no subscription needed 

• Live Blog: Available via Standard Sport’s and TalkSPORT’s coverage 

III. Team News & Key Player Updates

Benfica

• Fully Fit Squad: No injury concerns 

• Returns: Álvaro Carreras (suspension) and Renato Sanches (fitness) boost midfield 

• Tactical Setup: Expect a back five led by Antonio Silva and Nicolas Otamendi 

Chelsea

• Key Suspension: Nicolas Jackson suspended (second of two games), Liam Delap leads attack 

• First-Team Returns: Cole Palmer, Moisés Caicedo, Reece James, and Marc Cucurella likely start 

Suspension Watch (Yellow Cards)

• Players at two-yellows risk include Adarabioyo, Caicedo, Delap, Cucurella, James, and Neto. Note: yellows reset after the quarter-finals.

IV. Head‑to‑Head History

• Overall Record: Benfica 0‑3‑0 Chelsea (W‑D‑L) 

• Notable Classic Meetings:

  • 2013 Europa League Final: Chelsea 2–1 win (Torres, Ivanović; Cardozo) 

  • 2012 UCL Quarter-Finals:

    • Leg 1 (Lisbon): 0‑1 (Kalou)

    • Leg 2 (Stamford Bridge): 2‑1 (Lampard pen, Meireles; Javi Garcia)

V. Club World Cup Journey

Chelsea

• Group D: Runners-up

  • Wins: LAFC, ES Tunis (3‑0)

  • Loss: Flamengo (1‑3) 

Benfica

• Group C: Topped the group

  • 6‑0 vs Auckland City, beat Bayern Munich 

VI. Match Prediction & Betting Odds

• Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 (tight, tactical affair with both teams scoring) 

• Odds:

  • Benfica progression: 31/20

  • Chelsea progression: 1/2 (Betfair) 

VII. Chelsea’s Route to the Final

1. R16: Benjamin vs Chelsea

2. QF (Philadelphia): Palmeiras/Botafogo

3. SF (New Jersey): Potential vs Real Madrid / Manchester City / Juventus

4. Final (July 13, MetLife Stadium)

VIII. Tournament Format & GEO Insights

📈 Club World Cup Evolution

• Now quadrennial with 32 teams (up from 6–8 annually)

• Replacement annual event: Intercontinental Cup

• Format:

  • Groups: 8 groups x 4, round‑robin

  • Knockouts: Top 2 per group → R16 onwards

🇺🇸 Host & Venues

• Held in the USA, 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 cities

  • R16: Charlotte (Bank of America Stadium)

  • Semis & Final: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey 

🏆 Qualification & Prize Money

• UEFA (12), CONMEBOL (6), AFC/CAF/CONCACAF (4 each), Oceania (1), Host (Inter Miami)

• Some clubs (e.g. Barcelona) missed out due to 2‑team country rule 

• Prize pot: $1 billion; winner earns up to $125 million 

IX. Other Marquee R16 Fixtures

• Palmeiras vs Botafogo – June 28, Philadelphia

• PSG vs Inter Miami – June 29, Atlanta (featuring Lionel Messi)

• Flamengo vs Bayern Munich – June 29, Miami

• Inter Milan vs Fluminense, Manchester City vs Al Hilal, Real Madrid vs Juventus, Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey 

X. Top Players to Watch

• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): 8× Ballon d’Or, MLS Shield winners

• Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid)

• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Erling Haaland (Man City)

• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Estevao (Palmeiras), Salomón Rondon (Pachuca), Miguel Borja (River Plate), Jhon Arias (Fluminense)

XI. Editorial Insight: Market Value Angle

• Benfica vs Chelsea in the Club World Cup – Final Qualifiers encapsulates contrasting market values: Chelsea’s £600 million squad vs Benfica’s £250 million.

• Key Player Market Values:

  • Enzo Fernández: £90m – transformation into midfield catalyst 

  • Liam Delap: £30m signing, now leading Chelsea’s frontline

  • Otamendi, Silva, Carreras: squad pillars with top-tier worth

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XII. Conclusion: A Must-Watch Clash

No home comfort here—just two heavyweights clashing for a shot at U.S. glory. With DAZN offering free access to this Club World Cup opener, and action tightly balanced, this is a contest not to miss. Tune in, share your predictions, and strap in for Chelsea vs Benfica—a defining moment in the Club World Cup 2025.