LIAM Delap netted his first Chelsea goal as the Blues advanced to the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup with a 3-0 win over Esperance of Tunisia in the early hours of today in Philadelphia, United States of America.
The 22-year-old scored with a placed shot deep into first half added time to get off the mark after his £30m move from Ipswich earlier this month.
It came just two minutes after defender Tosin Adarabioyo headed in a free-kick from Enzo Fernandez to open the scoring.
Substitute Tyrique George added a late third with practically the last kick of the match in front of 32,967 fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s team selection appeared to be impacted by the extreme temperatures in Philadelphia, which still ‘felt like’ 36C by the 9pm kick-off because of the humidity.
The Italian made eight changes and rested star forward Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s top scorer in the competition Pedro Neto, and record signing Moises Caicedo.
Maresca rang further changes during a flat second half as Chelsea eased away from an improbable upset against their African opponents, who came into the match needing a win to progress at Chelsea’s expense.
Victory means Chelsea progress as runners-up in Group D, behind winners Flamengo, to set up a last-16 meeting with Portuguese club Benfica.
Earlier, Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup struck in the first half to seal a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in sweltering heat on Tuesday, sending the Portuguese side to the top of Group C at the Club World Cup.
After securing their first-ever victory over Bayern, Benfica will face Chelsea in the last 16. Bayern, finishing second, are set to face Group D leaders Flamengo.
Schjelderup broke the deadlock after 13 minutes, netting with a first-time effort from Fredrik Aursnes’ low cross from the right, capitalising on a lapse in Bayern’s back line.
With Bayern already assured of a place in the next round, their rotated line-up lacked urgency and failed to register a single shot on target in a flat first half.
The German champions improved after the break and Joshua Kimmich thought he had equalised only for his effort to be ruled out for a Harry Kane offside just past the hour mark.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin played a key role in preserving the lead, producing sharp saves to deny Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leroy Sane.
RESULTS
Esperance 0-3 Chelsea
LAFC 1-1 Flamengo
Auckland City 1-1 Boca Juniors
Benfica 1-0 Bayern