Chelsea Advances Club World Cup Last 16 After 3-0 Win, Delap Scores First Goal

Chelsea secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup by defeating Esperance de Tunis 3-0, with Liam Delap scoring his first goal for the club and Tyrique George adding a late third. Despite an early struggle to create clear chances, Chelsea dominated possession and shot count, ultimately finishing second in Group D with six points, setting up a Round of 16 clash against Benfica. Manager Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction with the team's bounce back after a prior loss to Flamengo and praised Delap's quick adaptation and goal-scoring potential, especially with key striker Nicolas Jackson suspended. Maresca highlighted the importance of progressing game by game, acknowledging the challenge posed by Benfica, who topped Group C after defeating Bayern Munich. The victory also marked a defensive milestone as Chelsea did not concede any shots inside their box for the first time in the competition. Overall, Delap's impact and Maresca's trust in his new signing have been pivotal during this campaign.