Chelsea got their Club World Cup campaign under way with a 2-0 victory over MLS side LAFC in front of thousands of empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Slow ticket sales have been a big talking point at FIFA’s new-look tournament and just 22,137 were in attendance in a 71,000-capacity stadium to see Pedro Neto give Enzo Maresca’s side the lead in the 34th minute.
The Chelsea fans in Atlanta got their first glimpse of new £30m signing Liam Delap midway through the second half and he made an instant impact, teeing up Enzo Fernandez as the Premier League side made a winning start in Group D.
Reacting to Chelsea’s victory, Blues boss Enzo Maresca said: “Very good result.
“At this stage of the season it’s also normal that you have to manage different kinds of things. Overall I think the performance has been good and we won the game.”
Delap dazzles on Chelsea debut
Chelsea found former Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris hard to beat early on as he denied Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke with smart stops.
Maresca’s side were dominating possession and they were beginning to push LAFC further and further back. The Conference League winners eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Neto breached the offside trap and latched onto Jackson’s inch-perfect pass, and the Portugal international cut the ball back in and fired into the bottom corner.
Liam Delap celebrates his assist with goalscorer Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea were made to work hard for their second goal but it eventually came as new signing Delap gave Chelsea fans a glimpse of what they might expect next season.
After combining with Cole Palmer, he almost made a second with his dazzling footwork on the byline but his pass into the box was cleared.
However, as Chelsea continued to probe in search of a two-goal cushion, they found it in the 79th minute. Delap got the assist as he hung a ball into the middle of the box and Fernandez was waiting to tap home and round off Chelsea’s win.
In pictures: Empty seats galore in Atlanta
Empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Chelsea vs LAFC
Fans wait for the start of the Club World Cup match
Who do Chelsea play next?
Chelsea play Flamengo in their next Club World Cup group game on Friday, kick-off 7pm (UK and Ireland time).
