Julius OkorieContrary to initial permutations that Chelsea will have the upper hand in their clash against Brazilian side Flamengo, the reverse was the case as the Blues were humbled 3-1 Friday night.
The Blues had taken a 13th-minute lead through Pedro Neto, whose calm finish under the goalkeeper gave Enzo Maresca’s side a deserved early advantage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. But a six-minute turnaround in the second half saw Chelsea surrender control.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFlamengo turned the game on its head when substitutes Bruno Henrique and Danilo both struck in quick succession, capitalising on defensive lapses with similar far-post finishes in the 62nd and 65th minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for the Blues three minutes later. Forward Nicolas Jackson, introduced in the 67th minute in a bid to remedy the situation for a now embattled Chelsea, was sent off within four minutes for a reckless studs-up challenge on Lucas Ayrton.
Referee Ivan Barton had no hesitation in showing a straight red card, leaving the Premier League side a man down.
Flamengo sealed the victory in the 83rd minute as Wallace Yan converted from close range, following another assist from the impressive Gonzalo Plata, who played a hand in two of the night’s goals.
The result leaves Chelsea needing a win over African champions ES Tunis on Tuesday to secure qualification for the last 16. But the defeat also increases the likelihood of a nail biting clash with Group C leaders Bayern Munich should the Stamford Bridge landlords progress.
For Flamengo, the victory puts them firmly in control of Group D, continuing the dominance of South American clubs in the newly expanded Club World Cup format.
READ ALSO:FIFA Club World Cup: Chelsea Beat Los Angeles FC In Group D Opener
If there was one person that was pained to the bone marrows over Chelsea defeat, it is former Nigeria international midfielder John Obi Mikel. The former Chelsea midfielder was so pained that he lampooned Nicolas Jackson for the ‘stupid’ challenge which led to his being sent off, contributing to the Chelsea’s ultimate defeat.
Jackson was dispossessed in the middle of the pitch and, in his overeagerness to win the ball back, the Senegal forward stamped down on Ayrton Lucas. Referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros had no option but to produce a red card.
Just a month ago, Jackson’s Premier League season ended prematurely when he was sent off for a similar challenge against Newcastle on May 11 and handed a three-match ban.
And Obi Mikel, working as a pundit for DAZN did not hold back when he was asked about the incident.
“(It was) Unbelievable. Stupid, stupid, stupid mistake,” said Obi Mikel won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Chelsea. DAZN host Kelly Somers was forced to apologise after highly disappointed Obi Mikel swore during coverage of Chelsea’s game.
“I don’t know what was going through his head. You come into the game, you are 2-1 down at that point. Your team needs you. And he does that.
‘He did it in a league game at Newcastle. Again, a very important game which we needed to win to qualify, for the Champions League. He did that, he got a red card. And now he’s done this. You can’t keep making mistakes”
But it was when host Somers suggested that Jackson’s frustration may have boiled over from frustration at losing his place to Liam Delap that Obi Mikel really lost his cool. “I don’t care what his frustration is,’ Obi Mikel reacted angrily.
‘It’s a football club. It’s a massive football club and it’s about competition. If you’re p***ed off that Delap’s coming to the football club and he’s going to be the competition with you… you have to embrace it if you are a big player.
‘Because the only way you are going to win trophies if is if you are compete against each other.’
It was at this point that Somers was forced to say sorry to viewers for her guest’s language.
‘Lots of emotion in the studio, so apologies for any language used there,’ she said, holding out both hands in a calming gesture towards Obi Mikel. Recall that Obi had advised Chelsea sign Victor Osimhen ahead of the Club World Cup, insisting that the Napoli star who shone like a million stars in his short loan deal with Galatasaray, is the man to get goals for the Blues when it matters most.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
