Liam Delap opened his Chelsea account with a decisive strike as the Premier League giants cruised to a 3–0 victory over Esperance Tunis, sealing their place in the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 22-year-old forward found the net just moments after Tosin Adarabioyo headed home in first-half stoppage time of their final Group D clash in Philadelphia. Tyrique George added a third deep into added time, capping a dominant performance that included a reversed penalty decision after VAR intervention.
Chelsea’s commanding result sets up a knockout clash with Group C surprise winners Benfica—who leapfrogged Bayern Munich—on Saturday in Charlotte.
For Delap, it was the kind of night he had been craving. With Nicolas Jackson suspended and manager Enzo Maresca rotating his squad, the former Ipswich and Manchester City striker was one of just three players to retain his starting place. On a humid Pennsylvania night with temperatures still soaring at kickoff, he made his £30 million price tag begin to feel like an investment paying off.
The striker’s composed finish—his first competitive goal in Chelsea blue—came moments after Fernandez had supplied the assist for Adarabioyo’s opener. In quick succession, Fernandez chipped forward again, and Delap weaved past two defenders before calmly slotting beyond Bechir Ben Said.
With FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the stands, Chelsea had already stamped their authority early. Though a draw would’ve been enough due to their goal advantage over Esperance, they pressed with intensity.
Delap had set the tone with an early run and shot, though Ben Said parried with ease. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall glanced a header wide, while Josh Acheampong tested the Esperance keeper from range—though the flag went up before Delap could pounce on the rebound. Fernandez later fired a warning shot just off target before the late-first-half flurry broke the deadlock.
Nkunku had a penalty appeal waved away after the break, and Madueke came close, dragging his effort just wide. Chelsea were eventually awarded a penalty when Meriah handled Santos’ drive—only for VAR to overturn it after a lengthy pause with Nkunku poised to take it.
Their dominance was finally reflected in the scoreline when George’s low effort slipped under Ben Said, sealing a clinical and confident Chelsea win.
