Premier League club, Chelsea, kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a fine 2-0 triumph over Major League Soccer (MLS) Club, Los Angeles FC, on Monday 16 June, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Dull sales of ticket have been a major point of discussion at FIFA’s new-look tournament and just 22,137 were in attendance in a 71,000-capacity stadium to see Pedro Neto give Enzo Maresca’s side the lead in the 34th minute.
Argentine midfieder, Enzo Fernandez, sealed victory for the Uefa Europa Conference League 2024/25 Champions in the 79th minute, converting Liam Delap’s assist.
Fans of the Blues in Atlanta had their first glimpse of new £30m addition Liam Delap midway through the second half and he made an immediate impact, teeing up Enzo Fernandez as the Premier League side made a winning start in Group D.
Chelsea picked up Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, who have been relegated back to the English second tier, Championship, after finishing the Premier League 2024/25 on the 19th spot with 22 points.
Chelsea Italian head coach, Maresca, said, the almost empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium made it uneasy for the Blues.
He said: “The atmosphere and environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty.”
The official attendance for the FIFA Club World Cup match between Chelsea and LAFC was 22,137, this means the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was less than a third full.
Result
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – Monday 16 June, 2025 |
| Botafogo SR 2-1 Seattle Sounders |
| Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica |
| Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles FC |
