Benfica vs. Chelsea: Club World Cup Preview, Team Updates, and Viewing Information

Two Giants Collide: Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Round of 16
When the Club World Cup groups were announced, anticipation ran high for a clash between Chelsea and Benfica in the Round of 16, emerging from Groups C and D. The journey to this showdown has been anything but straightforward, featuring Chelsea’s struggles and Benfica’s unexpected prowess.

Group Dynamics
Chelsea, pooling expectations on their rich history and talent, fell short in their group, securing the runner-up position behind Flamengo. On the contrary, Benfica exceeded all odds, remarkably besting the formidable Bayern Munich to secure their group title. Their season has been characterized by resilience, having lost only a handful of matches while finishing second in the league and making it to the Champions League quarterfinals. Despite a tough FA Cup final loss to Sporting CP, Benfica gained momentum, defeating Bayern 1-0 in their final group match to advance as group winners.

Form and Strategy
For Chelsea to make it to the quarterfinals, they must elevate their performance substantially. They can’t afford to overlook a well-organized Benfica, whose past success should not be dismissed, as the Portuguese side brings a wealth of experience and competitive spirit.

Match Details
Date / Time: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 21:00 BST; 4 PM EDT; 1:30 AM IST (next day)
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC, USA
Forecast: Hot and humid, with a potential for thunderstorms disrupting the game, which is typical for this time of year.
Referee: Slavko Vinčić, with VAR in operation.

Broadcast Information
On TV: None (UK/USA/India); SuperSport Premier League (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: DAZN (international).

Photo by Grant Halverson – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Team News – Benfica
For a club like Benfica, a season without silverware is a rare event, yet they have still found success by winning the League Cup back in January. Their journey in the tournament has been powered by several key player performances, notably from Vangelis Pavlidis, who remains one of the league’s top scorers, and the veteran professionalism of Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi, who recently extended his contract. Young goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin proved his mettle by being named the “Superior Player of the Match” against Bayern, highlighting a promising talent in goalkeeping. Despite missing midfielder Florentino Luís due to an injury sustained earlier in the tournament, they welcome back Andrea Belotti from suspension, hoping he can regain his footing after a drop in form.

Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images

Team News – Chelsea
Dubbed The Enzo Derby, this match marks a significant occasion for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who faces his former team for the first time since his record-breaking transfer. Enzo has been on a hot streak lately, contributing two assists in the last outing against ES Tunis after already finding the net against LAFC. Chelsea, who chose not to rest many starters in their last match, could benefit from more rotation in the lineup to freshen up some legs that seemed weary after their earlier defeat to Flamengo. However, they will be without Nicolas Jackson, suspended due to a red card, while Liam Delap, who netted his first goal in the last match, is expected to lead the attacking line.

Looking Ahead
The victor of this encounter will not only secure advancement but will also be favored against Palmeiras or Botafogo in the forthcoming quarterfinals. It’s tempting to look ahead, but the focus must remain firmly on this high-stakes matchup.

Historical Context
This match isn’t entirely uncharted territory; it is the fourth meeting between these two sides, with Chelsea holding a perfect record thus far, winning all three previous encounters. These matches include memorable clashes from the 2011-12 Champions League quarterfinals and the 2013 Europa League final, both laden with drama and unforgettable moments.