By KBC Associate 
Pedro Neto’s dazzling run and finish and Enzo Fernandez’s composed close-range strike gave Chelsea victory over a dangerous Los Angeles FC side and victory in their first game of the 2025 Club World Cup.
Winger Neto produced a beautiful Cruyff turn before firing in the 34th-minute opener in Atlanta, where the Premier League team dominated the first half.
FIFA Club World Cup Free Bets – Best UK Betting Sites, Tips & Betting Offers
After Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s reflex save denied Denis Bounga an equaliser after the break, Chelsea newcomer Liam Delap crossed for fellow substitute Fernandez to convert with 11 minutes remaining.
Chelsea are next in action against Brazilian league leaders Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday (19:00 BST), with LAFC facing Tunisian team Esperance on the same evening (23:00).
Neto’s GOLAZO deserves a look from all angles! 🔥➡️
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every game. Free. | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/PLelC5vSUz
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC
There was an occasionally acrimonious edge to proceedings in the Group D opener for both sides, including an altercation involving numerous players at half-time.
Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud – a Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup winner at Stamford Bridge – came on at half-time for Jeremy Ebobisse, while Reece James made way for Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia was replaced by Enzo Fernandez in the opposition half.
David Martinez, who had supplanted forward Nathan Ordaz in the 38th minute over a concussion concern, threatened twice early in the second half, showing his intent most impressively when the 19-year-old shifted past Marc Cucurella inside the box, only to fire well wide.
Nicolas Jackson had a header cleared off the line before Denis Bounga, who won the MLS Golden Boot with LAFC in 2023 and has eight goals and five assists in the league in 2025, went closest to an equaliser.
Gabon international Bounga bypassed Neto and drlled in a low shot from an angle that was alertly turned away by Robert Sanchez with the goalkeeper’s right foot at his near post.
78′ GOAL! Enzo Fernandez doubles the lead with an assist from Delap: 2-0!
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/BMaRisGMdG
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
Liam Delap: Debut assist for Chelsea signing
New £30 million signing Delap came on shortly afterwards for Jackson, and the striker made the final 10 minutes less nervy for his side by scampering on to Cole Palmer’s pass and whipping in a cross from the right that was slotted in by Fernandez after the Argentina midfielder showed composure to take a touch in front of goal.
Fernandez, who produced a goal and assist in Chelsea’s Conference League final win over Real Betis in their previous game, now has eight direct goal involvements in his last nine appearances in all competitions.
Neto almost scored with the final kick of the game, cutting inside from the left and fizzing a shot from outside the box against the crossbar and over.
Chelsea Fifa Club World Cup 2025 fixtures, schedule, results
Chelsea are in Group D with MLS side LAFC, Tunisian team Esperance and Brazilian league leaders Flamengo. Here’s when and where they play each of their initial rivals.
Monday, June 16
Group D: Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles FC (Atlanta)
Friday, June 20
Flamengo vs Chelsea (Philadelphia, 19:00)
Wednesday, June 25
Esperance vs Chelsea (Philadelphia, 02:00)
Chelsea Club World Cup knockout stage path
Chelsea will be eliminated if they finish outside of the top two in their group. Otherwise, they will advance to a last-16 match against a team from Group C, which contains Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica.
That game will be on Saturday, June 28 and take place in Charlotte at 21:00 if they are runners-up in their group or be held on Sunday, June 29 in Miami at 21:00 if they win their section.
Should they reach the quarter-finals, Chelsea will face a team from Group A – Palmeiras, Al-Ahly, Porto or Inter Miami – or Group B, which features Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders.
That game will take place on Saturday, July 5 in Philadelphia at 02:00 if they are runners-up or in Atlanta at 17:00 if they win their group.
Their semi-final will be in New Jersey, taking place at 20:00 on Tuesday, July 8 if they are runners-up or at the same time on Wednesday, July 9 if they win their group.
The final is also in New Jersey at 20:00 on Sunday, July 13.
Chelsea Club World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Robert Sanchez, Gaga Slonina
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Mamadou Sarr
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos
Forwards: Liam Delap, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer
Chelsea at the Club World Cup: Live stream, TV channel in UK
Live coverage of 40 of the matches is on DAZN, with 23 on Channel 5. DAZN Subscribers or Freemium member can tune in as part of their existing membership, while non-subscribers can register for a free account to start watching.
Fans can watch on the go via the DAZN App on smart TVs, phones, tablets, games consoles and streaming devices.
Club World Cup 2025: Which Chelsea games are on Channel 5?
Channel 5 will also be showing games for free. John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Ronaldo, Christian Vieri, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Andros Townsend, Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and Fabrizio Romano are among the pundits and presenters.
The co-commentators are Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green, Danny Higginbotham, Don Hutchison, Jonas Olsson and Anita Asante.
A highlights and analysis show, The Press, will be presented by James Alcott and Julien Laurens and analyse each day’s games on 5’s streaming service.
Here’s the full list of confirmed and potential Chelsea games being shown on 5.
June 25
Esperance vs Chelsea
June 29
Two round of 16 ties
June 30
Two round of 16 ties
July 4
One quarter-final tie
July 5
One quarter-final tie
July 9
One semi-final tie
July 13
Final