Objectives from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Tyrique George noticed Chelsea’s second-string aspect safe a spot within the spherical of 16 on the Membership World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis of their last Group D match on Tuesday.
Group winners Flamengo have been held 1-1 by LAFC to complete on seven factors, one forward of Chelsea. Esperance completed third with three factors whereas LA FC have been backside with one level.
Chelsea subsequent face Group C winners Benfica on Saturday on the Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte, whereas Flamengo tackle Bayern Munich, Group C runners-up, in Miami on Sunday.
Regardless of the stakes, Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca opted to rotate his squad as soon as extra, resting key gamers equivalent to Cole Palmer and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
He was lacking striker Nicolas Jackson, who may even be unavailable in opposition to Benfica as he serves a two-match suspension following his crimson card in Friday’s 3-1 loss to Flamengo.
Delap, a £30 million ($40.66 million) signing from Ipswich City, got here near opening the scoring within the twentieth minute however his header was cleared off the road.
Chelsea dominated possession in a lacklustre first half however struggled for creativity within the last third, with Delap squandering one other golden likelihood within the thirtieth minute when he missed the goal from shut vary.
The breakthrough lastly got here in first-half stoppage time when Adarabioyo rose highest to go the ball into the underside left nook.
Moments later Delap doubled Chelsea’s lead, capitalising on a free ball contained in the field, slicing inside a defender and ending neatly into the far nook for his first aim since becoming a member of the Stamford Bridge aspect.
The second half noticed Chelsea largely management proceedings with out urgent for a 3rd aim and their resolute defensive show ensured there was no approach again for Esperance.
The London aspect made it 3-0 when substitute George fired dwelling from the sting of the field deep in added time.
Info from Reuters was used on this recap.
