Chelsea stunned by Flamengo in huge Club World Cup upset: Live updates and reaction – The New York Times

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Flamengo fought back to beat Premier League side Chelsea 3-1 in a thrilling Club World Cup 2025 clash.
Chelsea opened the scoring through an early Pedro Neto goal and appeared to be cruising to victory.
But the Premier League side completely capitulated during a disastrous second half, with Bruno Henrique and Danilo striking for Flamengo within four minutes to turn the game around.
Nicolas Jackson was then sent off for Chelsea two minutes later before second-half substitute Wallace Yan added insult to injury by adding Flamengo’s third.
GO FURTHER
Flamengo 3 Chelsea 1 – Jackson sent off as Maresca’s team implode at Club World Cup
Goalscorer and Flamengo veteran Danilo also chatted to DAZN post-match and he underlined their work rate as a key reason for winning.
He said: “First of all, really proud of the Brazilian teams at this tournament.
“We've been working really hard these last few weeks and we're showing on the pitch the work that has been.
“(The manager told us) To keep calm, to keep playing. We kept our minds focused on what we have to do and the result came to our side.”
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OK, that was an awful challenge from Nicolas Jackson (not a happy birthday), but Chelsea had also lost control of the game before going down to ten men.
Jorginho admitted his side believed they could win even despite being one down at the break.
He said to Anita Nneka Jones on DAZN: “We were really confident and we know in these big games, details make the difference.
“Overall, we were really good in the first half so we were really confident.
“We felt confident because we were playing good football and we needed to keep going the way we were.”
Another former Chelsea player has spoken to the media…
Nicolas Jackson was sent off for an awful studs-up tackle three minutes after coming on as a substitute as Chelsea imploded in six minutes of madness to lose 3-1 against Flamengo at the Club World Cup.
Flamengo are now in control of group D, with all of Brazil’s teams unbeaten at the tournament and Chelsea in a fight to qualify for the last 16.
Below, The Athletic’s Liam Twomey, Stuart James, and Larry Henry Jr break down the key talking points.
GO FURTHER
Flamengo 3 Chelsea 1 – Jackson sent off as Maresca’s team implode at Club World Cup
Victorious manager Filipe Luis spoke to DAZN after the match and he hailed his team's performance.
He said: “I'm really happy for the game. We believed since the beginning we would have chances against them. I'm really proud.
“After Wesley's mistake, we didn't stop playing, kept going the same way we always play. My heart is warm right now because of this.
“Bruno (Henrique) is special. He is the player with the most titles in club history. One minute, five, 90, he always gives his heart. I'm really happy for him. And Danilo is huge. You have to enjoy these players.”
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Striking a pose!
Is there anything better than watching your side, the underdogs, beating a more illustrious team?
Looks a hell of an atmosphere in that Flamengo end at the Lincoln Financial Field!
Bruno Henrique, all of 34 years old.
He sunk to his knees at the final whistle, and no wonder.
A herculean effort to turn the game in his side's favour after coming off the bench.
They were only ‘supposed to’ get the tifo (fan banner) out at the start of the game.
But you can't really begrudge them another whirl of their club colours given the result, can you?!
Flamengo's comeback win is their first in all competitions since March 8 (a 2-1 win against Vasco da Gama in the Taça Guanabara semifinals).
They advanced to the final of that competition due to that result, eventually defeating Fluminense 2-1 on aggregate to win the tournament.
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That's it!
Flamengo have bloodied the nose of Chelsea!
They went behind and have turned it around brilliantly with a backs-to-the-wall performance full of heart, guts, and grit.
Yes, Chelsea imploded in six minutes with two quick goals conceded and Nicolas Jackson's red card.
But Flamengo deserve that. What a win!
90+7' Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea
And yet, Chelsea are passing it around with little urgency.
Bizarre.
As against Newcastle, Chelsea have done pretty well to exert pressure on a nervy Flamengo with 10 men, but just as it was at St James' Park, it is too little, too late.
90+5' Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea
Ayrton Lucas, the left-back and Brazil international, defends well, twice in a matter of seconds.
First, he sprints back to slide in on Noni Madueke, who tested him for pace down the line.
Then Caicedo passed it through nicely to Gusto down the right, and he stopped the attack again.
90+1' Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea
Into the first minute of seven added on, Flamengo make another two swaps.
Gonzalo Plata is booked as he goes off for time-wasting, I think, and he jogs off with Luiz Araujo. On are attackers Pedro, the dangerous No 9, and Michael.
I love when Brazilian footballers have English-style single names. What next? 21-year-old No 10 Keith? Skilful left-back Clive?
Not long for Enzo Maresca's side to find two goals, down a man too.
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90' Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea
Another foul from Pulgar on Caicedo just outside the box, albeit a challenge he was always trying to pull out of, hence no second yellow.
Neto over it, better strike, and the ball deflects to Marc Guiu at the back post.
He is well placed, the Spanish sub, and shoots from a tight angle, but it's well blocked by goalkeeper Agustin Rossi who is swiftly off his line!
He pumps his fist in delight.
89' Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea
Erick Pulgar with a poor tackle on Moises Caicedo, mistimed on the slide, and the Chilean is booked.
Cucurella (of course) is at the centre of tussles in the wall as he tries to block the runner coming out to close down the shot.
In the end, Madueke balloons it miles over the bar. What a waste.
CONMEBOL absolutely planting their flag at this Club World Cup.
Believe me, there's a heated rivalry between UEFA and the South American confederation, certainly at the club level.
This tournament was always going to be an opportunity for the South Americans to deliver a decisive blow on their European counterparts.

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