🔢 What the stats say about Chelsea vs LAFC in the Club World Cup | OneFootball

Chelsea began their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a convincing 2–0 victory over Los Angeles FC at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 16. With goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández, and a composed all-around performance, the Premier League side looked every bit the tournament favourite.

LAFC were spirited but ultimately outclassed in key areas, with Chelsea’s control and efficiency telling the full story. Let’s break down what the stats say about this Group D encounter.

Match summary

Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the 34th minute after a deft setup from Nicolás Jackson, producing a classy finish following a slick dribble and turn inside the box. Chelsea doubled their lead in the 79th minute when Enzo Fernández converted a superb cross from debutant Liam Delap, whose cameo earned plaudits.

What the stats say

Chelsea enjoyed commanding control of the match, dominating possession with 65.3% compared to LAFC’s 34.7%. This control translated into 17 total shots for the Blues, with six of those on target. LAFC, meanwhile, managed just seven shots in total, four of which required intervention from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.

In the midfield, Chelsea were significantly more precise, completing 91.1% of their passes to LAFC’s 84.9%. This crisp ball movement helped the London side create more quality chances, as they registered two clear-cut opportunities to LAFC’s one. The corner count was also heavily in Chelsea’s favor—seven to one—which reflected their sustained pressure in the attacking third.

Discipline-wise, the match remained competitive but under control, with Chelsea receiving three yellow cards and LAFC two. Hugo Lloris, in goal for LAFC, was kept busy and could do little about either goal, while Sánchez’s key saves helped Chelsea maintain their clean sheet.

Player performances

Pedro Neto was the standout performer, combining flair and end product to give Chelsea the edge early on. Enzo Fernández’s late goal capped off a dominant midfield display, and Liam Delap, making his debut, impressed with an assist just minutes after coming on. On the defensive end, Sánchez was assured, while Marc Cucurella had a mixed outing, drawing criticism for lapses in positioning and temperament.

Tactical overview

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca rotated his squad effectively, balancing minutes while maintaining structure and dominance. Their tactical setup allowed them to control the tempo and transition fluidly into attack. LAFC initially held shape well but were ultimately undone by Chelsea’s precision and movement, with David Martínez and Denis Bouanga offering the few bright spots in attack for the MLS side.

Looking ahead

Chelsea now sit atop Group D and will face Flamengo in Philadelphia on June 20. LAFC must regroup quickly ahead of their clash with Espérance de Tunis in Nashville. With the expanded Club World Cup format in full swing, momentum and depth will play crucial roles in the weeks ahead.

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