Benfica vs Chelsea - Club World Cup: Live score and updates as Pedro Neto almost gives Blues the perfect start to last-16 clash

It's all Chelsea in these early stages. Cole Palmer dropped his shoulder and went down wanting a free-kick, but he didn't get it.

The Blues recycled possession out to the opposite flank where Enzo Fernandez delivered, and his cross deflected behind for a corner.

The set piece was worked short but the flag went up for offside.

Enzo Fernandez fed through Liam Delap, who looked to have got the better of Antonio Silva, but the defender recovered superbly.

The direct approach through the thirds is working a treat.

That didn't take long. Almost a scintillating start for Chelsea.

The ball was fizzed down the right-hand side for Pedro Neto, who did superbly to hold off Samuel Dahl before pulling the trigger.

Anatoliy Trubin saved at his near post and gathered the rebound.

Finally, we're up and running at the Bank of America Stadium!

It's about 33 degrees centigrade in Charlotte and we've begun the glitzy, but ultimately rubbish and very drawn out, walk outs.

The match officials led the procession, grabbing the match ball as they went, before Benfica quickly followed them. Chelsea were last out.

Remember, each player gets their name read out one by one as they head out onto the pitch. It feels like it takes an age every time.

There were notably more cheers than boos for the Blues.

Now's the time to get that kettle on the boil.

Let's get some score predictions, shall we? Who do you fancy?

I reckon Chelsea in 90 minutes, and a pretty comfortable win at that.

Kieran Gill, our man at the Bank of America Stadium, went for 1-1 after 90 minutes but the Blues to win it in extra time.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is mystified by Enzo Maresca's decision to play Cole Palmer out wide again tonight.

He's, errrr, not happy.

Speaking on DAZN, Mikel had this to say...

Apparently there are thousands of tickets still up for grabs tonight.

It will be interesting to see just how many empty pockets there are.

I don't think it will be this quiet come kick-off, though. Don't worry.

I don't think it will take long for the players to warm up, so to speak.

We've got around 25 minutes before we get underway in Charlotte.

Chelsea striker Liam Delap, speaking to DAZN:

It's fair to say Jurgen Klopp did not hold back in his assessment of the expanded Club World Cup. Just have a read of these comments.

Do you agree or disagree? Let us know!

A gentle reminder: you can watch tonight's game for free on DAZN. Just click this link and follow the steps. Nice and easy.

Blimey. Chelsea aren't messing around, are they?

We also understand a bid for Brighton forward Joao Pedro has been turned down. It was worth around £50million.

The Seagulls are holding out for offers in the region of £60m.

Newcastle are also in the race but the Blues appear to have the advantage. Pedro scored 10 goals in all competitions last season.

Now that the players are in the house, we can get this show on the road. The sun is shining (probably a bit too much) and the energy is crackling nicely around the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

I'm really looking forward to this one. Benfica are certainly no pushovers and there are several players in that XI you'll recognise.

Make no mistake, they're here to spoil the party.

By the way, either Chelsea or Benfica will face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals. Paulinho's 100th-minute goal settled their contest against fellow Brazilian side Botafogo after extra time was required.

That's a strong-looking team.

Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, both of Premier League fame, start. Antonio Silva has also been linked with a move to the top-flight.

So, here is the Chelsea XI. As expected, Liam Delap leads the line.

Reece James returns to right back while there is a surprise start for Benoit Badiashile, who has got the nod over Trevoh Chalobah.

Tosin Adarabioyo starts alongside Levi Colwill.

Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are the midfield trio while Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto will be out wide.

In goal, Robert Sanchez starts over Filip Jorgensen.

As expected, Enzo Maresca has ripped up his Chelsea side and made no less than SEVEN changes for tonight's game.

Full team news will drop shortly.

Cole Palmer looks in the zone.

Like the rest of the Club World Cup, tonight's game will be free-to-air for UK viewers. Lucky, lucky you.

If you want to watch alongside our coverage, simply head to the DAZN website and register for free. No subscription is required.

Please do get involved tonight, folks.

If you support Chelsea, you must be delighted with the latest signing.

Yes, he's young, but he already looks the real deal.

You can drop your thoughts in the comments.

KIERAN GILL IN CHARLOTTE: Chelsea have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jamie Gittens.

While the figures have not been revealed, sources have confirmed the Blues are set to secure the 20-year-old Englishman after chasing him since the summer window opened.

Gittens has already appeared for Dortmund at the Club World Cup and so would not be able to be added to Chelsea’s squad, should they beat Benfica in their last-16 clash.

He is set to sign a seven-year contract which was agreed earlier this month, and is going to undergo a medical over the weekend.

Chelsea previously had a £42million bid turned down by Dortmund before striking their new deal.

You can read the full story below.

I've been impressed with what I've seen from Liam Delap in his first few outings in a Chelsea shirt. What a bargain as well at £30million.

Nicolas Jackson remains suspended tonight after his ridiculous straight red card - and subsequent two-match ban - against Flamengo.

That will surely leave the door open for Delap to start up top.

Remember, he scored his first goal for his new club last time out against Esperance Tunis. Can he grab another one today?

Well, well, well...

I'm seeing a few whispers on social media that Chelsea have now agreed a deal to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.

He is set to join on a whopping seven-year deal and could even undergo his medical in the United States as soon as tonight.

I'll keep you across the latest as soon as we get confirmation.

What a signing that would be.

Enzo Maresca is under no illusions that tonight will be Chelsea's sternest challenge in the Club World Cup so far.

Speaking yesterday, he said...

It's going to be another scorcher out there. Hardly ideal conditions.

I've just checked and the weather in Charlotte, where this game is taking place, is currently a barmy 34 degrees centigrade.

It's just 19 degrees where I'm ensconced away typing these posts.

I won't lie, it's still pretty humid here, too, so I can't begin to imagine how those players must be coping. Absolutely brutal.

Look after yourself, Kieran!

Welcome along, folks. A place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals is up for grabs this evening and boy, do both these clubs want it.

This will surely prove Chelsea's toughest test since touching down in the United States, however, and I'm predicting a pretty tight game.

The Blues secured their spot in the last-16 after cruising to a 3-0 win over Esperance Tunis and a victory today will see them face either Palmeiras or Botafogo. That tie has gone to extra time.

Expect Enzo Maresca to ring the changes once again because of the extraordinary heat. He said it would be 'impossible' not to use the entirety of his squad, although Nicolas Jackson remains suspended.

Without further ado, let's get cracking, shall we?