Chelsea face their toughest test yet in Group D of the FIFA Club World Cup when they meet South American giants Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday. Both sides began their campaigns with victories and will be eyeing a place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare.
Match Overview
Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their tournament opener, continuing their late-season form under Enzo Maresca. With nine wins from their last ten matches, the Blues have looked sharp, compact, and clinical at both ends of the pitch.
Meanwhile, Flamengo also made a winning start, dispatching Esperance Tunis 2-0 thanks to goals from De Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo. Filipe Luis has quickly made his mark in his first senior coaching role, guiding the Brazilian club to the top of the domestic standings and five straight wins.
This Group D contest marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. While Chelsea have a more star-studded squad and experience on the global stage, Flamengo arrive with confidence and a manager who knows the Blues inside out.
Team News
Flamengo handed Jorginho his debut against Esperance, and the former Chelsea midfielder is expected to start again, partnering Pulgar in midfield. Alex Sandro could return at left-back if fit, while De Arrascaeta remains the creative heartbeat behind a rotating forward line.
For Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez is likely to start after scoring off the bench in their opener. With Mudryk suspended and several senior players omitted from the squad ahead of summer exits, Liam Delap could get his first competitive start after registering an assist against LAFC. Wesley Fofana remains out injured.
Tactical Review
Flamengo will aim to control midfield through Gerson and Jorginho, pushing high to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm and create overloads in wide areas. They thrive on quick transitions and movement in the final third, though their backline may be vulnerable under pressure.
Chelsea, under Maresca, rely on structured possession, with overlapping full-backs and inverted wingers. Palmer and Neto will look to exploit Flamengo’s flanks, while Delap provides a physical outlet up front.
Midfield battles between Fernandez-Caicedo and De Arrascaeta-Gerson will be key, especially in determining who dictates the tempo.
How to Watch
This Club World Cup clash will be broadcast live on FIFA+ and select regional networks. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM WAT (4:00 PM EST) on Friday, June 21.
Predictions
Softfootball Prediction: Flamengo 1-2 Chelsea
Expect a tight, high-quality contest between two possession-based sides. While Flamengo are formidable, Chelsea’s depth and finishing edge should see them narrowly edge it — booking their place in the last 16.