LEKKER LIAM

CHELSEA began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory against Los Angeles FC on Monday night.

Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez got the goals for Enzo Maresca’s side in the Group D match before nearly 50 000 empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

But it was new signing Liam Delap who impressed as he made his debut as a substitute and helped set up Fernandez’s strike.

Delap entered the fray for Chelsea in the 64th minute and after teeing up an opportunity that amounted to niks, he made the killer second goal, crossing for the arriving Fernandez to control and finish.

Chelsea's next game will be against Brazilian giants Flamengo, who began their campaign by easing to a 2-0 win against Esperance of Tunisia in Philadelphia, on Friday.

Flamengo’s Jorginho, who arrived from Arsenal, will face former club Chelsea when the teams meet in their second match on Friday. Flamengo coach Filipe Luis is also an ex-player at Stamford Bridge.

There were vast sections of empty seats at Lincoln Financial Field too, with just 25 797 fans in a stadium that can hold close to 70 000.

In contrast, there was close to a full house, and a raucous atmosphere, in Miami as Boca and Benfica played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group C.

The majority of the crowd was backing Boca and the Argentines roared into a two-goal lead, Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia both scoring in the first half.

Two-time European champions Benfica were given a lifeline in first-half stoppage time when Boca's Carlos Palacios mistimed a challenge on Nicolas Otamendi and after a VAR review - which included a red card for protesting from the already substituted Boca midfield Ander Herrera - a penalty was awarded.

Veteran Angel di Maria converted from the spot to make it 2-1, but Benfica then had Andrea Belotti sent off in the 71st minute after a wild, high-footed kick into the head of Ayrton Costa.

But with six minutes remaining the Portuguese side equalised as Otamendi headed in to make it 2-2.

Tuesday night’s action sees Borussia Dortmund take on Fluminense of Brazil in Group F, while Inter Milan faces Monterrey of Mexico in Pasadena in Group E.