Chelsea Brush Aside ES Tunis to Reach FIFA Club World Cup Knockouts
If anyone doubted Chelsea’s hunger on the world stage, Wednesday’s showdown with ES Tunis dispelled all uncertainty. The Blues took charge at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, not just defeating ES Tunis, but doing it with a swagger that reminded everyone why they’re considered among Europe’s elite. The 3-0 win didn’t just seem routine — it was a clear message: Chelsea’s sights are firmly set on another FIFA Club World Cup trophy.
The pressure was definitely on. Fresh off a bruising 3-1 defeat to Flamengo, Chelsea came into the match knowing that only a win would guarantee their place in the knockouts. ES Tunis, chasing an unlikely upset, threw everything at the English side but failed to make a real dent. Flamengo, meanwhile, comfortably sat atop Group D, watching as Chelsea and ES Tunis battled for the remaining ticket out of the group.
Chelsea approached the game with intent. The midfield pairing of Andrey Santos and Conor Gallagher took command early, slicing through the Tunisian press and creating openings. Marc Guiu, operating as the focal point in attack, forced save after save from ES Tunis’s keeper Béchir Ben Saïd. Tyrique George, lively down the flank, tested Ben Saïd with a stinging drive midway through the first half, foreshadowing things to come.
By halftime, Tunis’s hopes were still alive thanks to Ben Saïd’s heroics and some last-ditch defending. But Chelsea’s patience paid off. A slick passing move found Santos on the edge of the box, and his clever ball to Tyrique George meant the Tunisian resistance finally cracked. George’s finish, in the 97th minute after a blistering counter-attack, effectively sealed ES Tunis’s fate. Earlier, Guiu had already gotten Chelsea on the scoreboard, while George continued to threaten every time he picked up possession.
ES Tunis, for all their industry, couldn’t muster much in attack. Mohamed Ben Ali and Onuche Ogbelu’s yellow cards spoke to their desperation as Chelsea’s technical superiority forced them into rash challenges. With each passing minute, the Tunisians looked more deflated, needing two goals to snatch qualification but hardly threatening Djordje Petrović in the Chelsea goal.
Blues Set Sights on Repeat Glory
This victory doesn’t just mean progression for Chelsea — it serves as a statement of intent. The Londoners are hunting their second Club World Cup title after their 2022 win. The attacking trio of George, Guiu, and Santos showed real promise, combining well and constantly stretching the Tunisian defense. George, in particular, looks set for a breakout moment on the global stage, his speed and directness a constant headache for defenders.
The group stage had its scares, especially with Nicolas Jackson’s red card and the resulting loss to Flamengo. But Chelsea steadied themselves when it mattered most. Their squad depth shone through. Even as ES Tunis tried to disrupt their rhythm, the Blues simply shifted gears, dominated possession, and waited for the crucial moments to strike.
- Chelsea finished Group D with three points and a superior goal difference to ES Tunis, clinching the group’s second spot.
- ES Tunis ended their run in third, level on points with Chelsea but undone by their negative goal differential.
- Flamengo’s earlier victories ensured they topped the group, setting up intriguing knockout pairings.
The knockouts now await, and Chelsea fans can’t help but dream of another feather in their cap. One thing’s sure: with the likes of Tyrique George and Andrey Santos hitting form, nobody will take this team lightly.