Chelsea Beat LAFC in Front of Sparse Crowd at Club World Cup Opener

Chelsea began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Major League Soccer side LAFC, but the spotlight quickly shifted from the action on the pitch to the dismal turnout in the stands.

Played at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the match drew just over 22,000 fans, leaving large swathes of empty seats and raising concerns about the tournament’s appeal in the United States.

Despite the lukewarm atmosphere, Chelsea delivered a composed performance. Portuguese winger Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the 34th minute, finishing off a well-orchestrated move involving Nicolas Jackson.

Substitute Liam Delap added a spark in the second half, providing a late assist for Enzo Fernández, who sealed the result with a calm finish.

LAFC had a few promising moments, with Denis Bouanga forcing Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a pair of sharp saves. But the American side struggled to match Chelsea’s pace and precision, ultimately failing to register a goal.

The match marked the first Group D fixture of the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which FIFA hopes will become a major global tournament. However, the empty seats in Atlanta told a different story.

Critics pointed to midweek scheduling, insufficient promotion, and questionable venue choices as reasons for the low turnout. Atlanta, a city with a strong soccer fanbase, seemed an odd backdrop for such a lackluster showing.

Chelsea will face Brazilian side Flamengo next in Philadelphia on Friday, while LAFC will try to bounce back against ES Tunis in Nashville.

For now, Chelsea have taken the points but FIFA has taken the criticism.