Chelsea 2–0 LAFC: Pedro Neto Rated 8.5/10 as the Blues Kicks Off Their Club World Cup Campaign in Style

Chelsea picked up a 2-0 win over LAFC in their opening game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on Monday, June 16, 2025. Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez sealed three hard-fought points for the Blues.

Chelsea started controlling possession from the get-go and poured men forward to create chances. Chelsea's persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when Pedro Neto was sent through on goal, tricked a defender, and blasted a shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

LAFC were re-energized in the second half, with Robert Sanchez being forced to make some sharp saves. Chelsea missed some decent chances, but doubled their lead in the 80th minute as substitutes Liam Delap and Enzo Fernandez combined for the Argentine midfielder to scramble the ball into the back of the net. The Blues had some late chances, but had to settle for a compelling 2-0 win to take them to the top of Group D. Here are the Chelsea vs LAFC Player Ratings.

Chelsea Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Robert Sanchez - 7/10

He was sharp and alert between the sticks. He moved the ball along really well to help his side go forward and made a couple of brilliant reflex saves in the second half.

Defenders

Reece James - 7/10

The Chelsea skipper was a vibrant and proactive figure on the right. He moved the ball forward smartly and was efficient with winning duels and making key interceptions to frustrate LAFC.

Tosin Adarabioyo - 6.5/10

Tosin held together a pretty sturdy defensive line. Outwitted on a few occasions, but mostly sturdy with his defensive work, and came up with some vital challenges to destroy their attacks.

Levi Colwill - 7/10

Colwill partnered with Tosin to do a pretty solid job in keeping LAFC quiet. He won quite a few key duels and was also impressive in moving the ball forward.

Marc Cucurella - 6.5/10

Cucurella lacked some of his attacking flair, not being able to create much. However, the Spaniard was really proactive at the back to make vital challenges to neutralize LAFC's threat on his side.

Midfielders

Romeo Lavia - 5.5/10

The 21-year-old was sharp and precise with his passing to help Chelsea dominate possession. He lost quite a few duels and couldn't win any tackles either.

Moises Caicedo - 8/10

Caicedo was a real livewire in the midfield for Chelsea, covering a lot of ground and timing his pressing perfectly. He won a plethora of duels and made many key tackles to regain possession and drive Chelsea forward.

Cole Palmer - 5.5/10

Palmer enjoyed the freedom he received and created a few nice chances with his impressive passes. His shooting, however, was awry, and he blasted a huge scoring chance over the bar in the second half.

Forwards

Pedro Neto - 8.5/10

Neto was a menacing threat with his blistering runs and incisiveness through the right. Tormented defenders with his fast movement and produced a smashing finish for his goal. Created a few big chances too, but unlucky not to get an assist.

Noni Madueke - 6/10

The Englishman was menacing with his movement, getting into some promising areas with his dribbling. Had a few efforts thwarted, but couldn't create any major chances.

Nicolas Jackson - 8/10

Jackson troubled the defenders with his impressive link-up play and movement. Teed up Neto's goal with an excellent pass, created a few big chances, and was unfortunate not to get among the goals.

Substitutes

Enzo Fernandez - 7.5/10

Fernandez added more thrust for Chelsea going forward with his energetic presence. Helped out defensively and made a perfect run into the box for his goal.

Malo Gusto - 7/10

The Frenchman looked pretty solid on the right, winning quite a few duels. Moved the ball forward nicely through the right.

Liam Delap - 7/10

The Chelsea debutant made instant impact on his first appearance. Troubled the defenders with his movement and picked out Enzo for a perfect cross for his goal.

Tyrique George - 6/10

George was a threat with his speedy runs and helped create a few nice counter-attacking chances.

Dario Essugo - N/R

Essugo made his Chelsea debut and looked sharp in the midfield, winning the ball in some nice areas.

Christopher Nkunku - N/R

Manager

Enzo Maresca - 7.5/10

Maresca fielded a strong lineup and urged his side to be patient with their build-up. He was able to get Chelsea drain the LAFC players and cause the minor errors leading to the goals. His substitutions were spot on as Delap and Enzo combined for the second goal.

LAFC Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris - 5/10

Lloris showed his admirable reflexes to make a few sharp saves to deny the Blues. He was unable to react quickly enough for Neto's or Enzo's goals and was also a bit shaky with his passing.

Defenders

Sergi Palencia - 6.5/10

The Spaniard was industrious on the right and worked hard to close down Chelsea's movement down his side. He won many duels and tackles, doing a pretty good job of keeping up with Madueke.

Aaron Long - 7/10

Long was arguably LAFC's best defender because of his impressive reading of Chelsea's moves. He popped up in key areas to make a plethora of important clearances to frustrate the Blues.

Eddie Segura - 6/10

Segura was caught in some bad positions in the first half, but improved as the game progressed. Made some vital clearances and blocks to stop Chelsea from shifting their weights around.

Ryan Hollingshead - 4.5/10

Hollingshead ended up being embarrassed by Neto for his goal, being left sitting on his backside. He recovered from that by winning possession quite a few times, but failed to get the better of Neto. Couldn't stop Delap's cross for the second either.

Midfielders

Igor Jesus - 6/10

The 22-year-old was an energetic figure in the midfield line. He regained possession numerous times for his side and protected his backline pretty strongly as well.

Marco Delgado - 5/10

Delgado was a bit sloppy with his passing, giving the ball away quite a few times. He helped neutralize some of Chelsea's attacks, but failed to create much.

Timothy Tilman - 6.5/10

The 26-year-old added a lot of creative prowess, setting up two prominent chances for his side. He won quite a few duels, but was outwitted by Enzo Fernandez for his goal.

Forwards

Denis Bouanga - 5.5/10

Bouanga was frustrated in the first half, but got at the end of some chances after the break. He got into a few nice areas with his clever movement and made Sanchez work with some decent efforts, seeing them thwarted.

Nathan Ordaz - 5/10

Struggled to impose his threat on the left-wing. Unable to create any noteworthy chances and taken off towards the end of the first half.

Jeremy Ebobisse - 4.5/10

The 28-year-old only completed six passes and had little impact in the game. Had zero shot attempts and was taken off at half-time.

Substitutes

David Martinez - 5/10

Martinez outwitted the Chelsea defenders with a few nice runs, but his shooting attempts were wayward.

Olivier Giroud - 6/10

The ex-Chelsea striker struggled to trouble the defenders. Created a decent chance but was not able to test Sanchez.

Frankie Amaya - 6/10

Amaya helped to bring some more steel to the midfield in the late stages.

Marlon - N/R

Ensured his side didn't concede any late goals.

Yaw Yeboah - N/R

Manager

Steven Cherundolo - 6/10

Cherundolo did a pretty decent job of shaping up his side. His defensive structure was decent, allowing the LAFC players to keep Chelsea from running riot. He energized the players to be more courageous with their counter-attacks in the second half, but things just didn't go in their favor in terms of scoring goals.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Pedro Neto.