Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Chelsea made a confident start to their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a 2-0 win over Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC (LAFC) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. the match's subdued atmosphere due to poor attendance became a bigger talking point than the performance itself.

The Monday afternoon game, part of the newly expanded 32-team tournament, witnessed only 22,137 spectators in a stadium that can seat over 71,000. This turnout starkly contrasted with Atlanta United's regular MLS home matches, which often attract upwards of 40,000 fans. The low attendance was reportedly due to several factors, including the weekday scheduling, lack of local promotion, and Chelsea's absence from the Champions League in recent years which may have limited their exposure to casual fans in the U.S.

Chelsea dominated much of the possession and tempo. Portuguese winger Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the first half with a composed finish following a clever assist from Nicolas Jackson. This marked Jackson’s first assist for Chelsea since joining the squad and hinted at a promising new partnership up front.

The Blues doubled their lead in the final quarter of the match thanks to Liam Delap, the young English striker who was recently signed from Ipswich Town. Delap came off the bench and made an immediate impact, providing a precise cross for Enzo Fernández, who calmly slotted the ball past the LAFC goalkeeper to seal the result.

Manager Enzo Maresca praised his team’s performance but acknowledged the strange environment created by the empty seats. “The stadium was nearly empty. It was a bit strange to play such an important match in that setting,” he told reporters after the match. Despite the quiet backdrop, Maresca was encouraged by the fluidity of Chelsea's play and the strong individual performances from new signings.

The win gives Chelsea three points in Group D, where they share the top spot with Brazilian side Flamengo, who also won their opening match. Chelsea’s next fixture is against Flamengo in Philadelphia — a clash expected to attract far more fans, particularly given Flamengo’s strong following and the more favorable weekend time slot.

LAFC, who had qualified for the tournament after a playoff entry following Club León’s disqualification due to FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules, struggled to match Chelsea’s pace and control. Their lone shot on target came in the dying minutes of the second half and was comfortably saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrović.

The Club World Cup’s expansion to a summer tournament with 32 teams was intended to mirror the scale and format of the FIFA World Cup, offering more global representation and visibility. However, Monday’s turnout served as a reminder that timing, marketing, and local interest are critical in drawing crowds — especially in a city that is no stranger to high-level football events.

Chelsea will be hoping to maintain their winning momentum as they prepare for Flamengo. The team’s combination of new and experienced talent is shaping up well under Maresca, who appears keen to leave a mark in this tournament. Meanwhile, tournament organizers will look to address concerns over scheduling and local engagement to avoid further poorly attended matches in the weeks ahead.