Flamengo overturned a first-half deficit to defeat Chelsea 3-1 in their Club World Cup Group D clash in Philadelphia on Friday, with second-half goals from Bruno Henrique, Danilo and Wallace Yan securing the Brazilian side’s second consecutive win in the tournament.
Pedro Neto‘s early strike had put Chelsea ahead, but the Premier League side squandered several opportunities to extend their lead, allowing Flamengo to stage a stirring comeback.
The result leaves Flamengo on top of Group D with six points from two matches, while Chelsea remain second with three. A win or a draw for Esperance de Tunis against LAFC in the group’s other game later in the day would secure Flamengo’s place in the knockout rounds.
Chelsea play Esperance in their final group game on Tuesday.
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The Brazilians scored two goals in quick succession through Henrique and Danilo, in the 62nd and 65th minutes, which was followed by Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson being shown a straight red for a studs-up challenge three minutes later.
Flamengo, coached by former Chelsea defender Filipe Luís and featuring former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, wrapped up the victory with Yan’s strike in the 83rd minute.
Flamengo’s win is the second time a South American team has defeated a European team by multiple goals in a FIFA international club competition and the first since Vasco da Gama’s 3-1 win over Manchester United in 2000, per ESPN Research.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this report.
