Chelsea book Club World Cup quarter-final spot after long weather delay

Chelsea scored three times after a long weather interruption to beat 10-man Benfica 4-1 in extra-time and reach the Club World Cup quarter-finals.

The Blues were just four minutes away from victory in normal time in Charlotte after a stunning Reece James free-kick when a thunderstorm forced the players off the field.

After a stoppage of almost two hours, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot but Chelsea roused themselves in extra-time after the Portuguese giants had Gianluca Prestianni sent off.

Christopher Nkunku struck from close range in the 108th minute before further goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wrapped up a deserved triumph, four hours and 38 minutes after kick-off at the Bank of America Stadium.

Enzo Maresca’s side will face Palmeiras in the last eight in Philadelphia on Friday after their defeat of Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday.

Influential midfielder Moises Caicedo will not be available after he was booked in the second half in North Carolina.

Chelsea dominated the majority of the game, but failed to make the most of a succession of chances in the first half.

Marc Cucurella curled a shot around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin but Antonio Silva reacted quickly to head off the line.

Trubin then tipped an effort round the post from Cole Palmer before smothering another attempt from Cucurella.

A rare attack from Benfica was thwarted when James blocked an Andreas Schjelderup shot but Palmer was similarly frustrated by the impressive Silva at the other end.

Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half but a Palmer cross was deflected away from goal by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo drove wide.

Chelsea finally got the reward their superiority deserved as James chanced his arm