Pedro Neto scored in the first half and Enzo Fernández in the 79th minute to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in Group D’s Club World Cup opener.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was "a bit strange" as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.

The number of empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was hard for Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca not to notice during his club’s 2-0 win over MLS side Los Angeles FC in the group stage of the 2025

(Reuters) -Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was "a bit strange" as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.

His talisman’s performance in the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis notwithstanding, Cole Palmer has gone a little off the boil in recent months. He has not scored in open play since mid-January, netting in the Premier League against Bournemouth. A virtuoso performance and goal or two tonight would not go amiss.

Chelsea take on Los Angeles FC in their opening game of the revamped Club World Cup on Monday (16 June) evening.

Liam Delap is set for debut in Club World Cup as Enzo Maresca looks to finish promising first season on a high at Chelsea after already landing UEFA Conference League