Chelsea rebounded fantastically from their first defeat at the 2025 Club World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Tunisian side ES Tunis on Tuesday, securing their place in the knockout rounds.
MORE — 2025 Club World Cup schedule, results, tables, how to watch live
The Blues weren’t just beaten but slightly embarrassed by Brazilian side Flamengo on Friday, thus a strong response was required from Enzo Maresca’s side — even after making a number of changes to the starting lineup. Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella and Reece James were all unused substitutes in Chelsea’s Group D finale and will be plenty rested for the round of 16 on Saturday (vs Benfica).
All three of Chelsea’s goals were scored in stoppage time — two in the first half and one in the second — as Liam Delap scored his first goal (45'+5) since joining the club earlier this month and 19-year-old academy striker Tyrique George continued his rapid development with a goal of his own (90'+7), after Tosin Adarabioyo finally broke the deadlock (45'+3).
Player ratings - Chelsea vs Esperance
How to watch Chelsea vs ES Tunis live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9 pm ET Tuesday (June 24)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV Channel/Streaming: Watch live on DAZN, for free
Chelsea vs ES Tunis live updates - by Andy Edwards
Chelsea vs ES Tunis final score: 3-0
Goalscorers: Tosin Adarabioyo (45'+3), Liam Delap (45'+5), Tyrique George (90'+7)
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Esperance: George scores another one in stoppage time (90'+7)
Off the hands of the 'keeper for Chelsea's third goal of the night!
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GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Esperance: Liam Delap bags his first Chelsea goal (45'+5)
IT'S TWO! JUST THAT FAST FOR THE BLUES!@ChelseaFC with two goals in two minutes!
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GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Esperance: Tosin thumps a header to the back post (45'+3)
LOFTED HEADER FROM TOSIN!@ChelseaFC grab the lead in first half stoppage time!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 25, 2025
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Chelsea starting lineup
Jorgensen - Gusto, Tosin, Badiashile, Acheampong - Lavia, Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall - Nkunku, Madueke, Delap
Esperance starting lineup
Ben Said - Ben Ali, Meriah, Tougai, Ben Hamida - Ogbelu, Guenichi, Yan - Mokwana, Konate, Jabri
One goal is all that separates Chelsea (2nd place) from ES Tunis (3rd) heading into Tuesday’s pivotal finale at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brazilian side Flamengo has already clinched the top spot in Group D with wins over both sides.
MORE — How much prize money will each club get at Club World Cup?
Chelsea led after Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the 13th minute and that lasted until the hour mark on Friday, but the Blues conceded back-to-back goals in the 62nd and 65th, before Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the 68th and Flamengo added a third in the 83rd.
Group D standings
- Flamengo — 6 points (+4 GD) — CLINCHED GROUP D
- Chelsea — 3 points (0 GD)
- Esperance de Tunis — 3 points (-1 GD)
- LAFC — 0 points (-3 GD) — ELIMINATED
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Wesley Fofana (undisclosed), Omari Kellyman (hamstring)
ES Tunis team news, focus
Tunisian champions eight of the last nine seasons, including the last two, Esperance picked up their first win of the Club World Cup on Friday as they beat MLS side LAFC 1-0 at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Algerian international Youcef Belaili scored the game’s only goal in the 70th minute. The 33-year-old scored 20 goals in 37 games during the most recent season, his first at the club.
Chelsea vs ES Tunis prediction
Perhaps the collapse against Flamengo will be a wake-up call; perhaps an indicator of more struggles to come. Not yet, but soon (in the next round, when they face Bayern Munich). Chelsea 2-0 ES Tunis.
