Following Palmeiras’ qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinals, a high-stakes showdown unfolded between Benfica and Chelsea at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The encounter held the promise of securing a coveted spot in the tournament’s next phase. Chelsea appeared poised for victory, maintaining a 1-0 lead, but the game was forced to be stopped.
As a severe storm loomed over Charlotte, referees made the critical decision to suspend the match for the safety of players and spectators. Chelsea’s players, keenly aware of their imminent win over Benfica, reacted with visible frustration since the team stood just five minutes away from sealing the victory within regulation time.
The game faced a suspension, halting play for at least 30 minutes as per FIFA protocol. Despite this disruption, the Blues displayed remarkable defensive solidity, maintaining a clean sheet against the lackluster Portuguese offense that struggled to find any breakthrough. Although Angel Di Maria and Andreas Schjelderup had scored in previous matches, they could not propel the team ahead during the 85 minutes of play.
At the return, Benfica scored a goal that took the game to overtime. Nevertheless, Chelsea dominated in the last 30 minutes and scored three more goals to end the duel 4-1 for the British side.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: How many games have been suspended so far?
In the 2025 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, weather conditions have taken center stage, leading to the suspension of six matches: 1. Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Ulsan Hyundai, 2. RB Salzburg vs. Pachuca, 3. Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly, 4. Benfica vs. Auckland City, 5. Boca Juniors vs. Auckland City, and 6. Benfica vs. Chelsea.
Not only the weather of the games has been complex, but in training the extreme heat has been a constant complaint of several teams. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca even raised his voice on this issue: “It is almost impossible to train because of the weather…We are just trying to save energy for the game… It’s not easy in these conditions with these temperatures. We are going to try to do our best,” he said, as reported by The Sun.
In the inaugural edition of the tournament’s new format, many European teams have faced unfamiliar and fluctuating weather conditions. Despite FIFA enforcing rigorous protocols to protect attendees, European teams voiced concerns over frequent game suspensions due to climate changes. These disruptions have sparked calls for changes in next edition of the tournament.