Chelsea made a confident start to their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, defeating MLS side LAFC 2-0 in Atlanta with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.

The result puts the Blues in early control of Group D ahead of their next clash with Brazilian giants Flamengo.

Enzo Maresca’s men dominated from start, with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both going close before Neto broke the deadlock.

The Portuguese winger danced past his marker and rifled a finish past Hugo Lloris at the near post in the first half.

Tensions briefly escalated at halftime when Neto and Denis Bouanga were involved in a heated altercation.

Reece James intervened to defuse the situation, sparing Neto from a potential booking.

Bouanga almost responded for the Californians shortly after the restart, but Robert Sanchez stood tall to make a critical save.

LAFC introduced former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in a bid to swing the momentum, but the Blues held firm.

Maresca handed a debut to £30 million signing Liam Delap, who wasted no time making an impact.

The 22-year-old forward delivered a precise assist, floating a cross to the back post for Enzo Fernandez to convert and double Chelsea’s lead.

Bouanga had one last chance to pull one back late on but fired directly at Sanchez.

Neto nearly grabbed a second in stoppage time, only to see his effort cannon off the bar.

Chelsea now top Group D and turn their focus to Friday’s clash against Flamengo, with one foot already in the knockout rounds.