Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles FC: Maresca´s side open Club World Cup campaign with unconvincing win

Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez had been each on track however Chelsea had been removed from convincing in a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC to begin their Membership World Cup marketing campaign.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson each went shut for Enzo Maresca’s aspect of their Group D opener on Monday earlier than the Senegal striker teed up Neto’s positive end after 34 minutes in Atlanta.

A reverse move down the appropriate from Jackson launched Neto, who then left LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead on the ground with a cute flip earlier than blasting low previous former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

LAFC had their possibilities to begin the second half, nevertheless, as David Martinez skewed off beam earlier than Robert Sanchez denied Denis Bouanga’s fizzing effort.

Timothy Tillman additionally drilled narrowly broad earlier than Liam Delap, making his Chelsea debut off the bench, whipped in for fellow substitute Fernandez to the touch down and hearth dwelling from shut vary within the 79th minute.

Bouanga once more went shut in response earlier than Neto’s late strike brushed the crossbar as Chelsea noticed out an anticipated victory that tees them up nicely for an attractive assembly with Brazilian giants Flamengo on Friday.

Off to an ideal begin. pic.twitter.com/l4t0MhLMle

– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) June 16, 2025

Information Debrief: Chelsea dominate as Lloris’ ache continues

Lloris isn’t any stranger to Chelsea, dealing with them for a twenty fourth time right here in all competitions – his most appearances towards one opponent – however he has received simply 4 of these conferences after this defeat.

Certainly, Chelsea dominated one other conflict towards Lloris however not with full management as Maresca’s males collected 1.96 anticipated targets (xG) to LAFC’s 0.82.

Their struggles in entrance of purpose weren’t helped by star attacker Palmer, who tried a game-high six pictures with none of these discovering the goal, albeit these possibilities had been value simply 0.29 xG.

Maresca will hope Palmer can discover kind as he seems to be to impress with Chelsea on the Membership World Cup, during which they beforehand reached the ultimate in 2012 earlier than profitable the 2021 version of their solely two appearances.