Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his frustration after a nearly two-hour weather delay significantly disrupted his team's Club World Cup match against Benfica. The game, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the expanded 32-team tournament, was halted due to a thunderstorm, ultimately lasting almost five hours from start to finish. Chelsea eventually secured a 4-1 victory in extra time, but Maresca was far from pleased with the circumstances.

Maresca didn't hold back his feelings, calling the delay "a joke" and insisting that "it's not football". He acknowledged the need for safety precautions but questioned the suitability of the United States as a host for the competition, given the frequency of weather-related suspensions. Six games in the tournament have been interrupted due to storms or lightning warnings. Maresca pointed out that such disruptions are uncommon in major tournaments like the World Cup or European Championships.

The match timeline saw Chelsea controlling the game for the first 85 minutes, according to Maresca. Reece James's free-kick had given them a 1-0 lead, putting them within four minutes of victory when the game was suspended. Upon resumption after almost two hours, Angel Di Maria converted a penalty to equalize for Benfica. However, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was sent off in extra time, and Chelsea capitalized with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Maresca lamented the impact of the delay on the game's flow. He felt that the two-hour break completely changed the dynamic, disrupting Chelsea's tempo and momentum. Players were seen trying to stay active during the delay by riding exercise bikes and kicking balls in the dressing room.

Despite his criticism of the weather situation, Maresca affirmed his appreciation for the Club World Cup tournament. He acknowledged its prestige and the participation of top clubs. However, he reiterated his concern about the repeated suspensions, suggesting a need to reconsider the location for future competitions.

The game was played in sweltering heat, and as the storm approached, play was suspended, resulting in a reduced crowd upon the match's resumption. Chelsea had previously dominated Benfica in their encounters and displayed control in the first half, but the weather delay undeniably altered the course of the match.

Chelsea will now face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia. However, Moises Caicedo will be unavailable due to a booking he received during the match against Benfica.