⏪ Neto and Fernández strike to seal Chelsea win over LAFC | OneFootball

Thanks for joining us for live coverage of Chelsea vs LAFC. Check back throughout the Club World Cup for more tournament updates!

FULL TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 LAFC

Fernández's second-half goal, set up by debutant Delap, gave Chelsea plenty of breathing space following Neto's excellent opener before the break. It was pretty comfortable for the Blues overall, and LAFC struggled to get back into the contest after going behind.

Into second half injury time and Chelsea are on track for an opening match victory in the Club World Cup.

LAFC almost burst down the Chelsea end and pull a goal back and Denis Bouanga's is kept out by Sánchez.

GOAL CHELSEA!

Chelsea go from defence to attack in a flash and it's Enzo Fernández to control and fire into the net from Liam Delap's looping cross. A debut assist for the former Ipswich man!

LAFC CHANCES

LAFC have a succession of shots from Martínez and Timothy Tillman in a frantic spell, but netier player can test Sánchez with a shot on target.

LAFC CHANCE

Hollingshead lets fly from long range and his shot skims the Chelsea crossbar.

PALMER SHOOTS OVER

Another opportunity for Chelsea to double their lead and Palmer sends his shot from 10 yards into orbit. Lacked just a bit of composure there.

CHANCE CHELSEA

Liam Delap gets on the ball and tries to make an instant impact, shrugging off his marker, racing to the line and cutting back to Enzo Fernández, who fires over the bar. Positive from the Chelsea new boy!

LAFC race through the middle of the pitch and Giroud tries to get in behind the Chelsea defence but the move eventually breaks down. Time running out for the US outfit to stage a response.

Here he comes... Chelsea's new signing Liam Delap enters the pitch to replace Jackson.

CHANCE LAFC!

Denis Bouanga fires a low shot towards goal from inside the area and forces Robert Sánchez into a strong save.

OFF THE LINE!

Chelsea nearly get a second as Neto picks out Jackson with an inch-perfect cross but the Senegal forward's header is cleared off the line. So close!

CLOSE LAFC

Substitute David Martínez strikes from the edge of the area and his deflected shot bounces just wide. Much more positive from the MLS side.

SECOND HALF

The second period begins. Ex-Chelsea attacker Giroud enters the fray - will he haunt his former club?

Another look at that Neto goal. A neat piece of skill in the area to drift past Ryan Hollingshead.

HALF TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 LAFC

Chelsea deservedly lead at the break and Neto's moment of inspiration is the difference. LAFC have been on the back foot for most of the first period and have rarely troubled the Blues' backline.

LAFC get into the Chelsea penalty area but Tosin is aware and draws a foul to ease the danger.

GOAL CHELSEA

Chelsea finally carve through LAFC's defence. A wonderful pass from Jackson releases Neto who Cruyff turns his man and lashes a powerful finish into the bottom corner. 1-0 to the Blues.

Chelsea are applying all the pressure and Neto whips a couple of dangerous crosses into the box. LAFC are holding firm though and the score remains 0-0.

PALMER GOES CLOSE

LAFC gave Palmer an inch too much from 20 yards and his whipped attempt goes just over the crossbar.

CHANCE

That's the closest Chelsea have come to breaking the deadlock as Jackson feeds through Noni Madueke, whose low shot is saved by Lloris.

Chelsea are feeding the ball to Palmer on the edge of the area and the England international keeps looking dangerous. He might be the key to unlocking LAFC's low block.

CHANCE

Nicolas Jackson finds a bit of space in the area and curls towards the top corner. The effort is comfortably saved by Hugo Lloris.

Chelsea edge into the LAFC penalty area but the Blues are crowded out by a swarm of defenders. Could be cagey in the opening stages here.

KICK OFF!

We're underway at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

We're just moments away from kick-off as the teams head onto the field.

Only 15 minutes to go until Chelsea and LAFC kick off their Club World Cup campaigns.

Denis Bouanga starts for LAFC, having scored nine goals in his last 10 games. Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is on the bench for the MLS side.

Enzo Maresca fields a strong Chelsea team, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Pedro Neto starting.

First up, it's Chelsea vs LAFC.

Here's how each team lines up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Hello and welcome to our live day three coverage of the 2025 Club World Cup.

There's plenty of action coming up with three games in store.