Chelsea's Path to Club World Cup Knockout Stages Revealed
Following their qualification for Champions League football on the concluding day of the 2024–25 Premier League campaign and subsequently claiming the UEFA Conference League title, Chelsea approached the restructured Club World Cup with considerable confidence.
Nevertheless, Enzo Maresca's squad has thus far failed to live up to expectations in the United States—mirroring their inconsistent performances during much of the Italian manager's inaugural season. While they comfortably dispatched LAFC in their tournament opener and Pedro Neto maintained his excellent summer form early in their second match, Chelsea couldn't counter Flamengo's remarkable second-half comeback.
This outcome means the Blues must work hard to secure progression to the tournament's knockout phase. With one group match remaining, here's what they require to guarantee their spot in the last 16.
Club World Cup Group D Table
Pos. | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Diff. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Flamengo | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
2. | Chelsea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
3. | ES Tunis | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
4. | LAFC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
How Chelsea Can Claim Group D Leadership
Flamengo's 3–1 triumph over the Blues in their second fixture has already guaranteed their advancement to the round of 16 as group leaders.
Since head-to-head record serves as the primary tiebreaker when determining group standings for teams with equal points, Chelsea cannot overtake Filipe Luís's side. Flamengo hold a three-point advantage after defeating ES Tunis 2–0 in their opening match, and they're anticipated to complete the group stage with a perfect record.
How Chelsea Can Secure Second Place in Group D
Maresca's team is therefore competing for second position when they face ES Tunis on Tuesday evening. It represents a direct battle between both sides following the North African team's 1–0 victory over LAFC in their second group encounter.
Should the match end in a stalemate, Chelsea will progress thanks to their better goal difference. While both teams suffered two-goal losses to Flamengo, the Blues defeated LAFC 2–0 in their group opener. They maintain a one-goal edge over their next opponents.
A Chelsea victory ensures their progression in second place, while an unexpected loss would mean elimination.
Who Might Chelsea Face in Club World Cup Round of 16?
Should Chelsea obtain a favorable result in Philadelphia and advance to the Club World Cup's last 16, a formidable challenge could be waiting.
The Group D runner-up will meet Group C's winner, which appears likely to be Bayern Munich. The German champions only need to prevent defeat against Benfica, a team they've never lost to across 13 encounters, in their concluding group match to secure the group.
Nevertheless, should Benfica pull off an upset victory, the Blues would face the Portuguese club if they complete their task at Lincoln Financial Field. Their round of 16 encounter will occur in Charlotte, though they'll return to Philadelphia if they progress to the quarterfinals.