Chelsea vs Benfica Live: Latest team news and updates from Club World Cup

A punishing heat wave that fades over the United States requires an important toll of players and fans at the Club World Cup, which expresses serious concerns about the conditions for the upcoming World Cup 2026.

With temperatures that are in the 90s Fahrenheit and higher, replacements look in the holes of rugs with air conditioning, practice sessions are broken down and players fight through sweating sweaters.

The debilitating circumstances have athletes who have trouble cope. Marcos Llorente from Atletico described the experience after a match against Paris Saint-Germain: “It is impossible, it is terribly hot. My toes were painful, even my toenails could hurt, I could not stop or start. In the end it is unbelievable, but because it is the same for everyone, there is no excuse.”

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca echoed sentiment after his team broke off a practice session in Philadelphia, where temperatures also reached the 90s.

“I always try to avoid excuse, I always try to be honest. It’s not about apologies, it’s about reality. It’s an excuse if it’s not hot, and we say it’s hot. That’s an excuse. But if it’s hot, it’s hot here, and we try to do our best,” he said.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca undoubtedly has Liam Delap a huge success at the club.

Delap scored his first goal since his £ 30 million move from Ipswich when Chelsea Esperance Tunis defeated 3-0 in Philadelphia to reach the last 16 of the World Cup club.

With fellow attacker Nicolas Jackson still suspended for today’s collision with Benfica in the second round, the 22-year-old has the chance to strengthen his place in the side.

Maresca said to reporters: “We know that Liam will score goals for us, we have no doubts about that.”

Liam Delap hopes that there will be many more goals after scoring his first for Chelsea to help them in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.

The former striker of Ipswich was on goal when the Blues Esperance Tunis defeated 3-0 in Philadelphia to secure second place in group D..

Delap told the club’s website, Chelseafc.com: “It is clearly a very happy feeling and hopefully it is the first of many.

“I spoke with Enzo (Maresca) and he told me that when he just gets the ball to just run. It was a great pass and luckily it went in.

“I like playing football and playing for such a good team is a great feeling.

“We had to win to get through and we are all happy that we are in the next phase.”

Thomas Muller has rejected complaints about ‘impossible’ heat at Club’s World Cup, with reference to his own age as a reason why younger players should not have ‘no apologies’.

The temperature reached 36 ° C for the collision in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, heavy conditions that were reflected by the far from optimal performance at the pitch from both sides.

Muller, however, has hit back on claims that his team should be apologized for their shortcomings.

Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal when the Premier League side reached the last 16 of the Club World Cup with a 3-0 win over Esperance Tunis.

The former Ipswich attacker only hit a few moments after defender Tosin Adarabioyo had opened the score in the first half of the stop time of their last group D match in Philadelphia.

Tyrique George scored a third in time added at the end of the game after Chelsea had awarded a fine for handball over again by VAR.

The result means that the Londoners are now confronted in the next round in Charlotte on Saturday with Benfica – surprise winners of group C for Bayern Munich – Saturday.

Match 49: Palmeiras vs. Botafogo (Philadelphia)

Match 50: Benfica vs. Chelsea (Charlotte)

Match 51: PSG vs. Inter Miami (Atlanta)

Match 52: Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich (Miami)

Match 53: Inter Milan vs. Fluminense (Charlotte)

Match 54: Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal (Orlando)

Match 55: Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey (Atlanta)

Match 56: Real Madrid vs Juventus (Miami)

Chelsea vs Benfica will start on Saturday 28 June at 9 p.m. at 9 p.m. in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Welcome to The Independent’s Coverage of the quarterfinals of the club World Cup between Chelsea and Benfica.

The knockout phase of this tournament have arrived.