Nicolas Jackson sent off as Chelsea implode against Flamengo
Pedro Neto fired the Blues ahead early on but Enzo Maresca's side imploded in the second half in Philadelphia.
The Blues conceded twice and saw Jackson dismissed for a horror tackle in the space of just six minutes after the break.
This Mengão comeback. 😮💨#FIFACWC
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 20, 2025
Their woes were compounded when Wallace Yan wrapped up the scoring late on, adding to earlier goals from fellow substitute Bruno Henrique and veteran Danilo.
The result – played out in front of a crowd of 54,019 at Lincoln Financial Field – left Chelsea with a win and a loss from their two outings in Group D having earlier looked set to take a giant stride towards the last 16.
It made for a disappointing full debut for new striker Liam Delap, who had been brought into the side for Jackson, but a notable scalp for Flamengo manager Filipe Luis, formerly of the London club.
The game got off to lively and feisty start yet while the Brazilians looked more at ease in the heat – 27C at kick-off – they struggled to carve out clear-cut openings.
Former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho did fire over in the early stages but Robert Sanchez was not troubled in goal.
Despite a lack of possession and a subdued performance from Cole Palmer out wide, Chelsea offered a threat on the counter-attack.
Delap went close to opening the scoring when he burst clear and forced Agustin Rossi to palm over.
Chelsea grabbed the lead when Neto benefited from a fortunate ricochet after being struck by an attempted clearance from Wesley.
The Portuguese broke clear from halfway and calmly tucked away his second goal of the tournament from the edge of the box.
Neto almost created another for Delap but his pull-back was cut out by Wesley and Chelsea had a penalty appeal rejected after Enzo Fernandez went down in the area.
Levi Colwill headed clear off the line after a Flamengo free-kick was slung into the area but it was not until the second period the Brazilians began to cause serious problems.
Where did the Chelsea fans go? 🐜 pic.twitter.com/L1C4v96toC
— Flamengo (@Flamengo_en) June 20, 2025
Gerson should have equalised when he cut back inside Colwill to create an opportunity but his mishit shot was intercepted by Trevoh Chalobah. It rebounded to Gonzalo Plata but he somehow poked wide.
Chelsea were inches away from a second when Leo Pereira, under pressure from Delap, clipped the ball narrowly past his own post but the Blues had little control.
They had another escape when Sanchez tipped over from Plata.
The equaliser came just after the hour when Plata headed back across goal and Henrique raced in to pounce at the back post.
Chelsea were reeling and were stung again just moments later as Henrique turned provider to head back a corner for Danilo to volley in.
Nicolas Jackson's foul on Ayrton Lucas earned him a red card (Chris Szagola/AP)
Chelsea's capitulation continued as Jackson, just minutes after coming off the bench, was given his marching orders for a reckless challenge in which he caught Ayrton Lucas on the shin with force.
Yan rubbed salt in the wounds seven minutes from time when he readjusted and tucked home after getting in the way of a shot from team-mate Plata.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea legend Damien Duff ‘abruptly QUITS Shelbourne' despite being on verge of Champions League qualification
DUFF RYDERS Chelsea legend Damien Duff 'abruptly QUITS Shelbourne' despite being on verge of Champions League qualification Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA legend Damien Duff has reportedly quit Irish giants Shelbourne despite being on the verge of Champions League qualification. The former Premier League winger decided to walk after his side's 1-0 defeat to Derry, according to the Irish Examiner. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Damien Duff has quit as Shelbourne boss Credit: Rex THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Chelsea legend Damien Duff ‘abruptly QUITS Shelbourne' despite being on verge of Champions League qualification
CHELSEA legend Damien Duff has reportedly quit Irish giants Shelbourne despite being on the verge of Champions League qualification. The former Premier League winger decided to walk after his side's 1-0 defeat to Derry, according to the Irish Examiner.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Nicolas Jackson's 'transfer price set' as Chelsea make call after 'stupidity'
Nicolas Jackson's availability status at Chelsea appears to have changed following Liam Delap's arrival and his latest red card picked up at the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Blues have a fee in mind Nicolas Jackson is no longer considered to be 'untouchable' by Chelsea, who will reportedly consider offers between £47million and £51m for the forward. Jackson, 24, has had a mixed time at Stamford Bridge ever since his £32m arrival from Villarreal. In the Blues' 3-1 defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo in the Club World Cup this week, Jackson infuriated fans by getting another straight red card within just four minutes of coming on as a substitute, after a reckless studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas. It was the second time in four matches that the Senegalese international was dismissed, having been sent off for elbowing Sven Botman in Chelsea's damaging 2-0 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United back at the start of May. Jackson had been considered as a long-term player to hold onto by the Chelsea board, but that status looks to have changed, especially with the recent arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m. Juventus have reportedly held exploratory talks for the striker, who has 30 goals and 12 assists in 80 appearances in all competitions for the west Londoners. And according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues will expect a "high price", understood to be between £47m and £51m if they were to part with the centre-forward. However, it's also claimed that Italian clubs would try to barter Chelsea for a lower fee if they were to make a move. He has a contract at Stamford Bridge which does not expire until 2033, which means the Blues are in a strong negotiating position. Meanwhile, Gianluca Di Marzio understands not only have Juventus made an approach for Jackson, but Serie A champions Napoli – managed by ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte – also hold an interest. In Jackson's last four games, he has earned himself a straight red card against Newcastle United, scored in the Europa Conference League final, provided an impressive assist for Pedro Neto in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over LAFC at the Club World Cup and been handed a straight red against Flamengo. That inconsistency could ultimately cost him his future at Chelsea, and Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer slammed Jackson's red card challenge against LAFC as "stupid" while speaking on the Rest is Football podcast. The Newcastle United legend said: "What was he thinking? "It happened against Newcastle, I remember it really well. And then he made the apology, and then it happens again. "He's not a youngster anymore. There's a time where you think, 'This is not acceptable.' That cannot happen again. "If that happens once, okay, you say, 'Hands up,' he's made an error. But then it happens twice and you think, 'Is there an issue here? Is there a problem with his attitude or his mentality?' "So this cannot happen again at Chelsea. He is 24, he's not a youngster, he's got to learn.' Jackson will be absent from the Blues' make-or-break Club World Cup clash against Tunisian side Espérance Sportive de Tunis, being played at 2am Wednesday UK time, where Enzo Maresca's men must avoid defeat to progress. He will also miss Chelsea's opening Premier League match of the 2025/26 campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, August 17 – that's if he's still at the club by then.
