Chelsea secured their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over Esperance Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Liam Delap, the promising young striker, marked the occasion with his first goal for the club, contributing to a dominant performance that saw Tosin Adarabioyo and Tyrique George also find the net.
The Blues entered the match knowing that a draw would be sufficient to secure the runners-up spot in Group D, behind Flamengo. However, they approached the game with a clear intent to win, a sentiment echoed by Delap himself. "We had to win to get through, and we are all happy we are into the next stage," Delap told the club's website after the match.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made several changes to the lineup following a defeat to Flamengo, but the team maintained its focus and intensity. Delap, one of the few players to retain his place in the starting eleven, seized the opportunity to impress. The 22-year-old, who joined Chelsea for a reported £30 million, displayed the composure and skill that the team has been lacking in recent years.
The first half saw Chelsea gradually asserting their dominance. Delap created an early chance, skipping past two defenders before his shot was saved. Just before halftime, Tosin Adarabioyo broke the deadlock with a well-placed header from an Enzo Fernandez free-kick. Moments later, Fernandez turned provider again, chipping a perfect pass to Delap, who displayed excellent footwork to beat two defenders and slot the ball past the Esperance goalkeeper.
"I spoke to Enzo [Fernandez], and he told me when he gets the ball to just run," Delap revealed. "It was a great pass, and luckily it went in." The goal not only doubled Chelsea's lead but also marked a significant moment for Delap, who hopes it will be the first of many for the club.
In the second half, Chelsea maintained control of the game, denying Esperance any real chances to get back into the contest. Substitute Tyrique George added a third goal in added time, further cementing Chelsea's victory.
Chelsea's win sets up a round of 16 clash against Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. Benfica, who surprisingly topped Group C ahead of Bayern Munich, will pose a tough challenge for the Blues. However, with the momentum from the win over Esperance and the promising form of players like Delap, Chelsea will be confident of progressing further in the competition.
The victory over Esperance was crucial for Chelsea, not only for advancing in the Club World Cup but also for building confidence and momentum. Liam Delap's first goal for the club is a significant boost for the young striker and provides Chelsea with another attacking option as they continue their campaign.
