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<p><a target="_blank" href="https://gistreel.com/tag/chelsea"><strong><u><b>Chelsea </b></u></strong></a>made a confident start to their <strong>2025 FIFA Club World Cup</strong> campaign, defeating MLS side <a target="_blank" href="https://gistreel.com/tag/los-angeles-fc"><strong><u><b>LAFC</b></u></strong></a> 2-0 in Atlanta with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.</p>
<p>The result puts the Blues in early control of Group D ahead of their next clash with Brazilian giants Flamengo.</p>
<p>Enzo Maresca’s men dominated from start, with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both going close before Neto broke the deadlock.</p>
<p>The Portuguese winger danced past his marker and rifled a finish past Hugo Lloris at the near post in the first half.</p>
<p>Tensions briefly escalated at halftime when Neto and Denis Bouanga were involved in a heated altercation.</p>
<p>Reece James intervened to defuse the situation, sparing Neto from a potential booking.</p>
<p>Bouanga almost responded for the Californians shortly after the restart, but Robert Sanchez stood tall to make a critical save.</p>
<p>LAFC introduced former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in a bid to swing the momentum, but the Blues held firm.</p>
<p>Maresca handed a debut to £30 million signing <a target="_blank" href="https://gistreel.com/tag/liam-delap"><strong><u><b>Liam Delap</b></u></strong></a>, who wasted no time making an impact.</p>
<p>The 22-year-old forward delivered a precise assist, floating a cross to the back post for Enzo Fernandez to convert and double Chelsea’s lead.</p>
<p>Bouanga had one last chance to pull one back late on but fired directly at Sanchez.</p>
<p>Neto nearly grabbed a second in stoppage time, only to see his effort cannon off the bar.</p>
<p>Chelsea now top Group D and turn their focus to Friday’s clash against Flamengo, with one foot already in the knockout rounds.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.gistreel.com/chelsea-2-0-lafc-delap-bags-debut-assist-as-marescas-side-open-cwc-campaign-with-statement-win/" previewlistener="true">Source link </a></p>

