What looked like a solid win in the making for Chelsea suddenly turned into an unexpected weather delay—and fans were left waiting in suspense.
Just five minutes shy of full time, Chelsea’s Club World Cup clash against Benfica came to a screeching halt due to severe weather rolling into Charlotte, North Carolina.
The scene was set at the Bank of America Stadium, where The Blues were leading 1-0 and seemed poised to advance—until Mother Nature had other plans.
Reece James Puts Chelsea Ahead
Before the weather drama took over, Chelsea had managed to grab the lead thanks to a goal from Reece James.
It was a tight, last-16 battle against Portuguese side Benfica, and the Blues looked comfortable heading into the final minutes.
But then, without much warning, the stadium’s big screen flashed a message that changed everything:
“Severe weather in the area. Seek cover.”
Fans Ushered to Safety as Storm Moves In
As the skies darkened and thunder loomed, players were swiftly escorted off the pitch.
Fans were instructed to leave their seats and take cover in the stadium concourses, following standard weather safety protocols.
Those who watched Benfica’s earlier match in the tournament against Auckland City might’ve had flashbacks—similar weather conditions had delayed that match for over two hours.
What FIFA Said About the Suspension
Soon after the match was paused, FIFA released an official statement confirming the suspension of play due to the threat of lightning in the area.
Their message emphasized safety first:
“Due to adverse weather conditions in Charlotte, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, the FIFA Club World Cup match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC has been suspended.”
They added that a 30-minute break was initially planned, but play would only resume once it was declared safe.
Will the Game Resume Soon?
At the time of the interruption, there was hope the storm might clear up quickly, with organizers predicting a possible half-hour delay.
But, as seen in past delays, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to unpredictable weather.
As of now, players and fans alike are in a holding pattern—waiting to see whether the match will be resumed or called off for the day.