ISTANBUL 

Chelsea on Sunday advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after beating Benfica 4-1 in extra time.

Playing at Bank of America Stadium in the US city of Charlotte, North Carolina, Chelsea took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Reece James in the 64th minute of the match, which ended goalless in the first half.

The match was paused in the 85th minute due to a lightning storm but resumed two hours later.

Benfica equalized the score 1-1 with a goal from Angel Di Maria from a penalty in the 90+5th minute, and the match went into extra time.

Gianluca Prestianni from the Portuguese team was sent off after getting a red card in the second minute of extra time.

The Blues stepped up their attacks after Benfica went down to 10 men and managed to win the match 4-1 with goals scored by Christopher Nkunku in the 108th minute, Pedro Neto in the 114th minute, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 117th minute.

Chelsea is set to face Brazilian team Palmeiras in the quarterfinals.