Pedro Neto’s dazzling run and end and Enzo Fernandez’s composed close-range strike gave Chelsea victory over a harmful Los Angeles FC aspect and victory of their first sport of the 2025 Membership World Cup.
Winger Neto produced an exquisite Cruyff flip earlier than firing within the Thirty fourth-minute opener in Atlanta, the place the Premier League staff dominated the primary half.
FIFA Membership World Cup Free Bets – Finest UK Betting Websites, Ideas & Betting Presents
After Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s reflex save denied Denis Bounga an equaliser after the break, Chelsea newcomer Liam Delap crossed for fellow substitute Fernandez to transform with 11 minutes remaining.
Chelsea are subsequent in motion in opposition to Brazilian league leaders Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday (19:00 BST), with LAFC going through Tunisian staff Esperance on the identical night (23:00).
Neto’s GOLAZO deserves a glance from all angles! 🔥➡️
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Each sport. Free. | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/PLelC5vSUz
— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC
There was an often acrimonious edge to proceedings within the Group D opener for either side, together with an altercation involving quite a few gamers at half-time.
Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud – a Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup winner at Stamford Bridge – got here on at half-time for Jeremy Ebobisse, whereas Reece James made means for Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia was changed by Enzo Fernandez within the opposition half.
David Martinez, who had supplanted ahead Nathan Ordaz within the thirty eighth minute over a concussion concern, threatened twice early within the second half, displaying his intent most impressively when the 19-year-old shifted previous Marc Cucurella contained in the field, solely to fireside properly extensive.
Nicolas Jackson had a header cleared off the road earlier than Denis Bounga, who received the MLS Golden Boot with LAFC in 2023 and has eight objectives and 5 assists within the league in 2025, went closest to an equaliser.
Gabon worldwide Bounga bypassed Neto and drlled in a low shot from an angle that was alertly turned away by Robert Sanchez with the goalkeeper’s proper foot at his close to put up.
78′ GOAL! Enzo Fernandez doubles the lead with an help from Delap: 2-0!
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Each Recreation | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/BMaRisGMdG
— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
Liam Delap: Debut help for Chelsea signing
New £30 million signing Delap got here on shortly afterwards for Jackson, and the striker made the ultimate 10 minutes much less nervy for his aspect by scampering on to Cole Palmer’s go and whipping in a cross from the correct that was slotted in by Fernandez after the Argentina midfielder confirmed composure to take a contact in entrance of aim.
Fernandez, who produced a aim and help in Chelsea’s Convention League last win over Actual Betis of their earlier sport, now has eight direct aim involvements in his final 9 appearances in all competitions.
Neto virtually scored with the ultimate kick of the sport, reducing inside from the left and fizzing a shot from exterior the field in opposition to the crossbar and over.
Chelsea Fifa Membership World Cup 2025 fixtures, schedule, outcomes
Chelsea are in Group D with MLS aspect LAFC, Tunisian staff Esperance and Brazilian league leaders Flamengo. Right here’s when and the place they play every of their preliminary rivals.
Monday, June 16
Group D: Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles FC (Atlanta)
Friday, June 20
Flamengo vs Chelsea (Philadelphia, 19:00)
Wednesday, June 25
Esperance vs Chelsea (Philadelphia, 02:00)
Chelsea Membership World Cup knockout stage path
Chelsea will probably be eradicated in the event that they end exterior of the highest two of their group. In any other case, they’ll advance to a last-16 match in opposition to a staff from Group C, which incorporates Bayern Munich, Auckland Metropolis, Boca Juniors and Benfica.
That sport will probably be on Saturday, June 28 and happen in Charlotte at 21:00 if they’re runners-up of their group or be held on Sunday, June 29 in Miami at 21:00 in the event that they win their part.
Ought to they attain the quarter-finals, Chelsea will face a staff from Group A – Palmeiras, Al-Ahly, Porto or Inter Miami – or Group B, which options Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders.
That sport will happen on Saturday, July 5 in Philadelphia at 02:00 if they’re runners-up or in Atlanta at 17:00 in the event that they win their group.
Their semi-final will probably be in New Jersey, happening at 20:00 on Tuesday, July 8 if they’re runners-up or on the identical time on Wednesday, July 9 in the event that they win their group.
The ultimate can also be in New Jersey at 20:00 on Sunday, July 13.
Chelsea Membership World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Robert Sanchez, Gaga Slonina
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Mamadou Sarr
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos
Forwards: Liam Delap, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer
Chelsea on the Membership World Cup: Dwell stream, TV channel in UK
Dwell protection of 40 of the matches is on DAZN, with 23 on Channel 5. DAZN Subscribers or Freemium member can tune in as a part of their present membership, whereas non-subscribers can register for a free account to start out watching.
Followers can watch on the go through the DAZN App on good TVs, telephones, tablets, video games consoles and streaming gadgets.
Membership World Cup 2025: Which Chelsea video games are on Channel 5?
Channel 5 may even be displaying video games without cost. John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Ronaldo, Christian Vieri, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Andros Townsend, Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and Fabrizio Romano are among the many pundits and presenters.
The co-commentators are Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Inexperienced, Danny Higginbotham, Don Hutchison, Jonas Olsson and Anita Asante.
A highlights and evaluation present, The Press, will probably be introduced by James Alcott and Julien Laurens and analyse every day’s video games on 5’s streaming service.
Right here’s the complete checklist of confirmed and potential Chelsea video games being proven on 5.
June 25
Esperance vs Chelsea
June 29
Two spherical of 16 ties
June 30
Two spherical of 16 ties
July 4
One quarter-final tie
July 5
One quarter-final tie
July 9
One semi-final tie
July 13
Closing
