Overview

• The Club World Cup last-16 tie between Chelsea and Benfica was halted for 1 hour and 53 minutes with Chelsea leading 1-0 and five minutes of normal time remaining.
• Chelsea regrouped after the break to force extra time and secured a 4–1 victory, booking their spot in the quarter-finals against Palmeiras.
• This match marked the sixth weather-related suspension across six different host cities under FIFA’s lightning safety protocol.
• Maresca labelled the prolonged stoppage “a joke” and insisted such delays break tempo and fundamentally alter the nature of high-level matches.
• His criticism has intensified scrutiny of US summer conditions and venue infrastructure as organisers prepare for next year’s 2026 World Cup.