The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup delivered a dramatic afternoon on Monday as Chelsea made a dominant start in Group D with a composed 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC, while Boca Juniors and Benfica produced a fiery 2-2 draw in Miami Gardens that featured three red cards and a late equaliser.

Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles FC – Group D

Chelsea began their Club World Cup campaign in style, putting in a composed and confident performance to see off Los Angeles FC 2-0. Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernndez secured the win, as the London side dominated proceedings from start to finish.

The opener arrived in the 34th minute. Neto latched onto a perfectly weighted long ball from Nicolas Jackson, turned Ryan Hollingshead inside out with a clever feint, and calmly slotted past Hugo Lloris.

Chelsea remained in control throughout, enjoying 65.3% of possession and registering 17 shots to LAFC’s seven. Their second goal came in the 79th minute, when Liam Delap delivered a pinpoint cross for Fernndez, who finished with a tidy left-footed strike from close range.

The match was not without its flashpoints – Neto and Denis Bouanga clashed just before half-time and had to be separated. However, Chelsea’s dominance at both ends of the pitch kept them firmly in the driver’s seat.

Neto and Jackson nearly combined again early in the second half, only for Timothy Tillman to intervene with a well-timed header. In goal, Robert Snchez made four saves to Lloris’ three, while Chelsea also earned seven corners to LAFC’s one.

Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica – Group C

Elsewhere, Boca Juniors and Benfica delivered one of the tournament’s most heated encounters so far. In a game filled with drama, goals, and disciplinary trouble, the two sides shared the spoils after Benfica fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw.

The Argentines struck first in the 21st minute. Lautaro Blanco nutmegged his marker and whipped in a cross for Miguel Merentiel, who tucked the ball into the far corner past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Just six minutes later, Rodrigo Battaglia made it 2-0 with a close-range header, following a clever knockdown from Ayrton Costa.

Benfica pulled one back in first-half stoppage time through an ngel Di Mara penalty. VAR awarded the spot-kick following Carlos Palacios’ foul on Nicols Otamendi. In the aftermath, Boca midfielder Ander Herrera – who had earlier been subbed off injured – was shown a red card from the bench for dissent.

The match boiled over again in the 72nd minute, when Andrea Belotti was dismissed for a dangerous high boot that struck Costa in the head. Yet, despite being a man down, Benfica drew level in the 84th minute. Otamendi rose highest to meet Orkun Kk’s corner and powered home the equaliser.

There was more drama to come, as Boca were reduced to nine men after Jorge Figal was shown red in the 88th minute. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Argentinians held on for a point.