Chelsea kicked off their Club World Cup journey with a 2-0 win against LAFC from Major League Soccer, although the match unfolded in front of a sparse crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Concerns about slow ticket sales have marred FIFA’s revamped tournament, resulting in an attendance of just 22,137 in a stadium that holds 71,000. Pedro Neto put Enzo Maresca’s team ahead in the 34th minute.
The Chelsea supporters finally saw their new £30 million acquisition, Liam Delap, enter play midway through the second half, and he quickly influenced the game by assisting Enzo Fernandez, helping his team secure a winning start in Group D.
Attendance Issues at Chelsea’s First Match
The official attendance for the Chelsea vs. LAFC match stood at 22,137, meaning less than one-third of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was filled. Predictions estimated around 26,000 attendees before the match.
The game commenced at 3 PM ET on a Monday, with some matches scheduled earlier in this tournament to accommodate European television audiences. Chelsea previously attracted over 70,000 fans to the stadium during a pre-season game against Newcastle in July 2023.
Coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged the challenge posed by the lack of supporters, stating, “The atmosphere was a bit odd. The stadium was almost empty.” Conversely, LAFC’s manager Steve Cherundolo noted varying crowd sizes at different venues.
Delap Shines in Chelsea Debut
Early on, LAFC’s former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made several impressive saves against Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke. Despite this, Chelsea controlled the match and eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Neto, benefiting from Jackson’s precise pass, scored in the bottom corner.
Although Chelsea faced difficulty securing a second goal, Delap’s play provided fans a glimpse of his potential. After a dynamic exchange with Cole Palmer, he assisted Fernandez later in the game, finalizing Chelsea’s victory in the 79th minute with a well-placed cross.
Delap Aims to Compete
As competition for the striker position intensifies between Delap and Jackson, Delap expressed his eagerness to thrive amidst the competition, highlighting its importance in football. He stated, “It’s always going to be hard, but it’s essential to embrace the challenge.” Delap further emphasized his excitement about contributing to the team and adapting to his new environment.
What Lies Ahead for Chelsea?
Chelsea’s next challenge in the Club World Cup is against Flamengo on Friday at 7 PM (UK & Ireland time), followed by a match against ES Tunis the following Tuesday to conclude Group D.
