Chelsea captain Reece James delivered a moment of pure quality to put the Blues in front against Benfica in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Semi-Final clash.
The right-back curled home a stunning free-kick in the 64th minute to break the deadlock and give Chelsea a deserved lead at a tense and evenly matched encounter.
After a goalless first half that saw both sides cancel each other out, Chelsea came out after the break with renewed energy.
Their pressure finally paid off just after the hour mark when they won a free-kick just outside the box. James stepped up confidently and whipped a perfectly placed effort past Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin at his near post.
The goal lit up the contest and injected momentum into Chelsea’s play.
Before the breakthrough, clear chances were few and far between, with both sides focused on maintaining defensive shape.
However, James’ strike gave the Blues the spark they needed and lifted the tempo of the match.
Benfica, who had done well to contain Chelsea for long periods, were forced to come out of their shell in search of an equaliser. But Chelsea, buoyed by their lead, began to control possession and looked more composed in their build-up as they pushed for a second.
As the match wore on, James’ free-kick stood as the defining moment, a captain leading by example on the big stage.
The goal not only gave Chelsea the edge but also put them on course for a potential place in the final of the revamped Club World Cup.
