A dramatic turn of events saw Flamengo overcome an early deficit to defeat Chelsea 3-1 in their Club World Cup clash, a match that also saw Nicolas Jackson receive a red card. The game, held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, saw Chelsea initially take the lead, but a resurgent Flamengo dominated the second half, leaving the Blues reeling.
Chelsea started brightly, with Pedro Neto scoring in the 12th minute after Flamengo lost possession following a free kick. Neto capitalized on a defensive mix-up, putting Chelsea ahead. The first half saw both teams battling fiercely, with Flamengo creating several opportunities, but Chelsea managed to maintain their lead going into halftime. Liam Delap, making his full debut for Chelsea, also had a notable chance, forcing a good save from Flamengo's goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.
However, the second half was a different story. Flamengo, coached by former Chelsea player Felipe Luis, came out with renewed vigor. Their pressure paid off in the 62nd minute when Bruno Henrique equalized, following a somewhat fortunate deflection. Just minutes later, Danilo put Flamengo ahead, capitalizing on a corner situation. The turnaround left Chelsea stunned, and their task became even more difficult when Nicolas Jackson was sent off for a challenge on Ayrton Lucas shortly after coming on as a substitute.
With ten men, Chelsea struggled to regain control of the match. Flamengo sealed their victory in the 84th minute when Wallace Yan scored his first goal for the club, connecting with a cross from Gonzalo Plata. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the Flamengo players and fans.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had made several changes to the starting lineup, giving debuts and opportunities to players like Delap. However, the changes failed to prevent Flamengo's comeback. Maresca acknowledged the need to rotate the squad due to the demanding tournament schedule and high temperatures but was ultimately unable to find the right formula to counter Flamengo's resurgence.
Felipe Luis, the Flamengo coach, expressed his pride in his team's performance. Speaking after the game, he highlighted the team's belief and determination, emphasizing their commitment to playing their own game regardless of the score. He also praised Bruno Henrique as a special player.
The defeat leaves Chelsea in a precarious position in Group D, while Flamengo's victory puts them in a strong position to advance. The match was a tale of two halves, with Chelsea's early promise fading away as Flamengo seized control with a combination of tactical adjustments, relentless pressure, and capitalizing on Chelsea's mistakes. The red card to Jackson further compounded Chelsea's woes, making it an overall disappointing outing for the Blues in Philadelphia.
