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By DOMINIC HOGAN and KIERAN GILL AT THE MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM Published: 03: 30 AEST, 17 June 2025 | Updated: 06: 02 AEST, 17 June 2025 44 View comments Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Chelsea take on LAFC in the Club World Cup at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. We will be bringing you live coverage of the game tonight right here, but if you want to watch the action yourselves, DAZN have you covered. Watch every Club World Cup match free on DAZN. Sign Up HERE Now! Check out this link as well if you want a look at Neto's opener, by the way. Hollingshead won't want to see too many replays of this one after being sent to the shops by the Chelsea forward. .. Well, the MLS side hung in there a half hour or so, before Chelsea's superiority told in fine fashion with a filthy Cruyff turn from Neto and a composed near post finish to boot. We've not learned an awful lot from Chelsea in this half, though even the most optimistic LAFC fan will have been expecting a draw at best, but the American side have at least offered their own threat down the other end. It's just the lack of clinical touch in the final third - well, that and the 58 per cent possession and nine shots from the Blues - that is haunting LAFC as it stands. Could we get a Hollywood impact from the bench from Giroud in the second half? You'd love to see it. .. There goes the whistle, and it's pretty much so far, so good for Chelsea, who take a lead into the dressing-room, slender though it is. You have to say, though LAFC have done themselves plenty of credit out there, it's fully deserved, and really the Blues should probably have a couple given how dominant they were. There's a brief clash at the whistle between Reece James and Denis Bouanga, with the two having to be separated, but down the tunnel we go. Another booking for Chelsea now, and it's Tosin Adarbioyo who joins his captain in the book. The centre back over commits to a challenge on Jeremy Ebobisse, and knows exactly what's coming his way before the whistle even goes. Bouanga flings the free-kick to the far post, but Ebobisse is offside. LAFC have not exactly taken that goal sitting down, and have shown some intent of their own down the other end of the pitch. Chelsea will just want to slow it down for the final few minutes and see this one out to the break. Bit of concern over Nathan Ordaz, who was whacked in the head by the ball a few moments ago, and doesn't seem to have fully recovered. The referee calls for medical support for the forward, and he has marched off the field, David Martinez comes on to replace him as a concussion substitute. LAFC's free-kick draws an unconvincing save from Sanchez, and Chelsea defend the resulting corner well. And within two minutes, Reece James becomes the first name in the book. Felt a little bit harsh after a seemingly routine coming together, and now LAFC have a free kick in a very dangerous area. Pedro Neto breaks the deadlock! With LAFC's counter lacking a clinical touch, Chelsea are able to break back, and Nicolas Jackson finds a brilliant pass to release Neto. The Portugal international then drives into the box, chops back onto his left, and hammers it past Lloris at the near post. A very well-crafted goal, and Neto the deserving scorer. Neto has been bright and wriggly and evasive as usual out on the right for Chelsea. He stands a cross up to the back post but Madueke is unable to get the desired contact and it's a goal kick. Chelsea will be happy with how things are, but you'd argue LAFC are the more pleased as it stands. Moises Caicedo has been fooled a couple of times by Timothy Tillman, and that's a rare sight indeed. Chelsea are in control overall, though as usual, they are not converting their chances. Bouanga looks to clip one over the wall but gets it all wrong and Sanchez rushes out to claim. LAFC have a rare, and much-needed, chance on the break, but it's a poor release pass which is very easily intercepted by the Chelsea backline. Though Chelsea are clearly on top, LAFC have done well in dropping back into their system, once they lose it. Chance from a free-kick here after a foul from Caicedo midway through the Chelsea half. Ooooh almost a Cole Palmer classic. One touch out the feet about 20-odd yards away and a left-footed curling effort comes devilishly close to beating Lloris. Looked like it took a deflection on the way, but you'd be cold-hearted in the extreme to take that off him if it had found its way into the back of the net. Great save from Lloris! Jackson frees Madueke with a through ball after some brilliant footwork, but Lloris sticks a left leg out and denies the Chelsea forward a deserved opener. Pressure notch just creeping up even further. .. Cucurella and James are causing definite problems for LAFC from wide positions when the Blues press en masse. Caicedo has been his typical self keeping things ticking over, and barring those early darts it's been pretty controlled from Chelsea the last 10 minutes or so. Chelsea are now pushing a lot higher up the field when they're on the ball, with all 10 outfield players up in the LAFC half. Bit of an issue with the referee now, as he makes his way over to the halfway line, seemingly for a bit of a tech check-up. .. Chelsea look intent on crushing the energy out of LAFC, but the MLS side's fans are at least still full of beans in the stands. Nicolas Jackson gets the first shot of the game, though his twirling and spinning off balance inside the box, and it's routine for even the veteran Hugo Lloris. Rather than sit deep and contain like many reckoned LAFC would, it's actually been a pretty exciting start with the American side willing to break back against the Blues. It must be said, though, that even in first gear Chelsea look the more composed and clinical side in possession. Chelsea with their first real foray forward are able to carve a half-chance for themselves. Cole Palmer cut onto his left foot on the edge of the box before feeding Noni Madueke, but the England forward dallied on the ball and was forced back. Early warning signs for LAFC, even if it was indecision from the Blues that let them off the hook. Plenty of the ball in the first couple of minutes for LAFC, but it's largely across the back line as the defence get a few early touches. Not the most intense press from Chelsea, and LAFC left back Hollingshead can make a promising dart through the middle, before the Blues recover. Promising stuff from the MLS side. Well, the interesting pre-match festivities done and out the way, it's time for some actual football! It's the home side (? ) LAFC who get us underway after a countdown over the loud speakers. Well, this is. .. different. Rather than coming out as a team, the Chelsea players are currently being announced one-by-one and marching solo towards the pitch. I'm sure it probably works at a packed-out NFL match with almost 100, 000 well-oiled fans bouncing out their seats, but it's a bit of a limp reception here in Atlanta. .. Don't fancy that one catching on in the Premier League any time soon. Less than 10 minutes until kick-off, and it's fairly empty in here, which is a brutal look for FIFA and the Club World Cup. Not long to go now until we get underway over in Atlanta, and it's fair to say the LAFC fans are getting excited after turning up in full force. .. Olivier Giroud is 38 and very much in the twilight of his glittering career, which goes no small way to explaining his place on the bench tonight. But cliched as it is, he brings so much experience to a side who are featuring in their first ever Club World Cup, so don't underestimate the role he can play coming off the bench. Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has revealed what he reckons Giroud's best attribute for tonight - and, shockingly, it's not his smoldering looks and perfect hair. Callum Wilson added: It's a dazzling Chelsea side out there tonight, though you'd probably expect as much given the money they've spent in recent years, right? However, the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly this guy, Cole Palmer. He was part of the Champions League squad in 2023, but left for Stamford Bridge that summer so didn't have a chance to add the Club World Cup. How do you rate Chelsea's chances this year? One fan has put in the hard yards to pick up a prize to take home with them to LA tonight. I would point out that asking for a shirt while wearing the shirt you're asking for might not be the best tactic, but then again you can't have too many football shirts at the end of the day. A heavy defeat tonight, though, and they may wish they just went on Amazon instead. .. The man to watch tonight for the Blues? It's hard to look past the man that put them in the competition in the first place. After going 1-0 down in the play-off to replace Club Leon against Club America, Denis Bouanga completed the comeback by scoring the winning goal in the 115th minute to spark jubilant scenes. As such, as Mikel claims, if his side are to have a chance of beating Chelsea, he's going to have to play a big role tonight. Callum Wilson, on punditry duties tonight, reckons Delap brings something of a retro feel to this Chelsea side. He managed 12 goals and two assists for a side that ended up getting relegated fairly comfortably - that's impressive going. One of the criticisms levelled at the newly expanded tournament has been that the European sides will likely dominate given the disparity in finances that they can rely on. However, it should still prove a fascinating tournament, and Blues legend John Obi Mikel reckons it won't exactly be a walkover for the Premier League side. So no Liam Delap from the start, but we could still see him for the first time in Chelsea blue later on from the bench. Another two potential debutants in Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr could also make a dream start to their Chelsea careers later on, while returning Andrey Santos joins them amongst the subs. Still, Palmer, Neto, Jackson, Madueke - it's an aggressive first team from Maresca. As for the MLS side, there is no room in the starting XI for Giroud, but there is another Premier League legend in there. .. LAFC XI: Lloris, Palencia, Long, Segura, Hollingshead, Delgado, Jesus, Tillman, Ordaz, Ebobisse, Bouanga Subs: Hasal, Ochoa, Marlon, Raposo, Chanot, Tafari, Hom, Saldana, Yeboah, Giroud, Martinez, Wibowo. Talk about making an entrance - LAFC fans clearly mean business tonight. .. It's a strong XI from Chelsea, full of regulars as all the potential debutants are among the substitutes, Liam Delap included. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson Here we go. .. Gusto was also asked about the prospect of facing off against one of his country's most lethal 21st century strikers. By Dominic Hogan One player Chelsea fans will know a bit more about is this guy. That's right, LAFC is the new home of Olivier Giroud, Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup winner with the Blues, where he spent four trophy-laden seasons from 2017-2021. The 39-year-old joined the MLS outfit back in 2024, and has only managed five goals in 33 games, but it feels like we've already got our script ready for him to bag a sixth tonight. .. Enzo Maresca has quietly gone about accelerating the Chelsea rebuild this year in brilliant fashion, you've got to admit. Returned to the Champions League, a piece of silverware with the Conference League, and now a chance at the Club World Cup too - something which Malo Gusto thinks can help the Blues 'create momentum' for next term. All eyes will likely be on whether Liam Delap makes the cut tonight, but if he's selected, it will be a 100th Chelsea game for Trevoh Chalobah. What a strange season he's had - sent out on loan to Palace, called back to the club to then win the Conference League and get called up for England. A Club World Cup crown would definitely be a fitting end to a whirlwind year. By Dominic Hogan Just like the World Cup, FIFA's newly revamped club tournament has given football fans a great opportunity to learn about new teams and fall down some rabbit holes, what with the regular season being over for the summer. In that spirit, here's a look at just who LAFC are, as Chelsea prepare to open their Club World Cup account in Atlanta - including their part-owner, who is 'kind of a big deal' in Hollywood. .. By Dominic Hogan Feels a little bit less like breaking news when Chelsea sign a player these days, but we could get a debut for Liam Delap tonight. The former Ipswich striker was brought in for £30m, which bizarrely feels like a snip these days? Game's gone, and all that. .. Still, though, will be excited to see what he can do in a slightly different colour blue shirt if he gets out there tonight - here's what Enzo Maresca had to say about his new striker. .. Meanwhile, Chelsea have made a verbal enquiry for Lyon winger Malick Fofana, 20. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s an obsession with the surname Fofana, given they have David Datro and Wesley also. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium holds 75, 000. I’m hearing there may be less than 30, 000 set to attend this match between Chelsea and Los Angeles FC. Let’s see how it looks at kick-off. By Dominic Hogan A little look at tonight's stage. .. It's kind of giving UFO? Maybe that's just me - definitely some serious space and sci-fi vibes going on there. By Dominic Hogan That's right, it's Club World Cup time. If you've not been getting CWC fever just yet, tonight's game will be the first featuring one of England's two offerings, with Man City to play on Wednesday. It was a slightly inauspicious start - Lionel Messi's Inter Miami drawing 0-0 with Egypt's Al Ahly - but the goals did eventually start to flow. Bayern Munich put 10 past New Zealand's Auckland City, and new kings of Europe PSG plaid down a huge gauntlet with a thumping 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Porto were also held to a drab 0-0 by Palmeiras of Brazil, while their compatriots Botafogo beat Seattle Sounders 2-1. It's been a mixed bag, but all the more fascinating for it. Here's hoping Chelsea or LAFC serve up something more Bayern than Porto tonight, eh? By Dominic Hogan Hello, hello, and welcome to Mail Sport's live coverage of Chelsea's Club World Cup opener against LAFC! The Blues' last two games have been in Nottingham and Wroclaw, and they'll now add Atlanta, Georgia to that list - probably a first? - when they take on Los Angeles-based LAFC in about an hour and a half. We'll have team news, updates, and all the latest from Chelsea's CWC camp right here as we build up to the game, so don't go anywhere! Why is there a 2 minute silence? Oh sorry that's j. ..

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