fans in attendance at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium, many of them backing LAFC. The Black and Gold had positive sparks of energy and possession throughout the first half, but struggled to find any real opportunities in front of goal.

LAFC almost got one back just before the 60-minute mark, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez came up with an important save to keep Denis Bouanga off the scoresheet. The Black and Gold aimed to get some more experience onto the pitch at the half, bringing on former Chelsea man Olivier Giroud, to no avail.

“I think Chelsea won, deservingly so,” said LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo. “We clawed our way back into the game and played a little better in the second half and had the odd chance to get the equaliser.”

Coming in off the bench, Fernández made no mistake finishing Liam Delap’s cross, adding another tally to the scoresheet for The Blues.

Chelsea’s day was made even more positive by the debut of Delap, a promising 22-year-old English striker signed from Ipswich Town.

“It’s a really happy feeling for me,” Delap said. “I’m so excited to be here and play my first game and contribute is a good feeling. They’ve welcomed me really well, I’ve only had a few sessions here but I can’t wait for more.”

While Chelsea is the favorite to top Group D, LAFC’s next two matches become essential to moving on to the knock-out rounds. LAFC vs. Flamengo will prove to be an entertaining game, with the two sides most likely battling it out for the group’s second spot.

Benfica 2, Boca Juniors 2: Benfica overcame a two-goal deficit, getting Ángel Di María’s penalty kick in first-half stoppage time and Nicolás Otamendi’s 84th-minute goal for a draw against Boca Juniors in a heated Club World Cup match at Miami Gardens, Fla., that included three red cards, four yellows and 22 fouls.

Boca Juniors played in a home-like environment with the Argentine club’s supporters making up most of the 55,574 crowd at Hard Rock Stadium against one of Portugal’s premier teams. Both teams finished a man short and one Boca player was ejected after he was substituted from the match.

Heavily armed police were present at checkpoints to ensure order for a Boca supporters’ group that is extremely fierce and passionate. But, most of the rough action was on the field, not in the stands, as the game included red cards for Boca’s Andrés Herrera in the 44th, Benfica’s Andrea Belotti in the 72nd and Boca’s Nicolás Figal in the 88th.

Boca built its lead on goals by Miguel Merentiel in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Battaglia in the 27th.