Benfica and Chelsea will battle for a spot within the FIFA Membership World Cup quarter-finals this Saturday on the Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte, with each side hoping to proceed their journey within the event. The winner will go on to face both Palmeiras or Botafogo on July 5 in what may very well be an exciting quarter-final showdown.
Whereas Benfica topped Group C after a slender 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, Chelsea recovered from a gap 3-1 defeat to Flamengo by beating Esperance Tunis 3-0, ending second in Group D. With each golf equipment representing European soccer within the competitors, the matchup guarantees high-stakes motion and intense competitors.
Traditionally, Chelsea have had the higher hand on this fixture. The 2 sides have met 3 times in European competitions, with the Blues rising victorious whenever. Their first assembly got here within the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, the place Chelsea received each legs—1-0 in Lisbon by means of a Salomon Kalou aim and 2-1 at Stamford Bridge due to targets from Frank Lampard and Raul Meireles.
The rivalry continued the next 12 months within the 2013 Europa League last in Amsterdam. That contest noticed Fernando Torres put Chelsea forward within the second half, just for Benfica to stage by means of an Oscar Cardozo penalty. Nonetheless, Branislav Ivanovic’s dramatic 93rd-minute header sealed a 2-1 victory and the trophy for Chelsea.
In whole, Benfica and Chelsea have met 3 times:
- March 27, 2012 – Benfica 0-1 Chelsea (UCL Quarter-Remaining First Leg)
- April 4, 2012 – Chelsea 2-1 Benfica (UCL Quarter-Remaining Second Leg)
- Might 15, 2013 – Benfica 1-2 Chelsea (Europa League Remaining)
The Blues have received all three matchups, scoring 5 targets and conceding solely two. Benfica shall be looking for to rewrite historical past in Saturday’s conflict, whereas Chelsea will purpose to increase their dominance within the head-to-head and ebook their place within the last eight.
