ES Tunis vs Chelsea - Club World Cup: Live score, team news and updates as Enzo Maresca's side secure spot in last-16 with dominant showing as star bags his first goal for the club

WE made it through.

Nope, I'm not a Chelsea fan. All I'm saying is that all of us based in the UK have made it through to the end of the night without falling asleep. How amazing?

Chelsea made it hard at times to not snooze, but in the end, they found their rhythm and netted thrice to ensure safe passage into the round of 16, where they will face Benfica.

Liam Delap scored one of the three, his first goal for the club, and it looks as though the Blues have bagged themselves a little (not in size) gem up top.

The striker was left to everything that Chelsea did well today, and it already seems as though he has formed a strong relationship with Enzo Fernandez, who supplied two assists this evening.

Anyway, it's time for me to hit the hay. Thanks for accompanying me through the night, and I will see you all very soon.

Tara!

Liam Delap, Chelsea goalscorer, speaking on DAZN:

On the curse of the number nine shirt:

On his link with Enzo Fernandez:

Well then, Chelsea have done their job.

That win means that they will face Benfica, who beat Bayern Munich earlier today, in the last 16.

Now, that's some step up from the level of competition that they have faced so far in this competition.

It all starts to get a little bit trickier from here on out, but that means it will also be more entertaining.

Well, fingers crossed anyway.

Chelsea's Club World Cup journey continues.

Three goals, three points, and the Blues take their place in the round of 16 here in the US.

It wasn't the best performance, but Enzo Maresca's side were always in control here in Philly, and could have had more than three on another day.

A good night's work.

This time, Tyrique George does find the net!

Chelsea seem to be loving a stoppage time goal tonight, and George puts the polish on a good night in Philly for the Blues.

It's another low drive from the winger, but this time it somehow creeps under Ben Said, who really should do better in goal.

And that wraps it up at the death.

That would have been a lovely goal, but it wasn't to be.

Tyrique George draws in the defender down the left-hand side of the box, before a burst of pace creates space.

He then tries to arrow the ball across the keeper, but his powerful effort is well saved.

A decent chance.

Ooooft, that's not a great challenge.

Ogbelu picks up a yellow for absolutely cleaning out Josh Acheampong as he breaks away.

Not good, not good at all.

SEVEN?! Really?

Why is this referee doing this to us? We don't ned to watch that much stoppage time.

Marc Guiu does break away as I type that, but his effort is saved well.

It's time for a debut!

Mamadou Sarr comes on in Chelsea colours for the very first time for the final few moments.

What a moment for the young lad.

I think we are all ready for this game to finish now.

It's very stop-start and there is no sting in the match anymore, it is stumbling to its end.

We all just want bed now, right?

Wow.

That has stunned me. The ball clearly hits the hand of Meriah, but VAR has overturned the decision.

The referee doesn't really say why over the speaker, just spouts a load of waffle that is hard to understand over that mic.

But there we go.

Erm... wait a minute.

Christopher Nkunku is about to take the penalty after putting the ball down on the spot.

But VAR makes him wait, and now the referee is going to the screen. Why? It definitely hit his hand.

WE usually know what this means.

Wait, what?

Chelsea have a penalty, but my word has it come in a bizarre way. Not a single player appeals, but it's given.

Andrey Santos has a crack, and it just looks as though it has deflected wide for a corner.

But nope, the ball hits Meriah's arm, and the ref takes no time at all to give the spot kick.

Can Chelsea seal it now?

This game is falling flat a little now.

I mean, it's pretty much over, and all that's happening are substitutions, which is great...

Speaking of them, Es Tunis make another as Raed Boucniba is now on.

A defender. Yep, that seems sensible when you are losing.

Chelsea fans, get excited.

All eyes are on Andrey Santos as he comes on to show what he is all about, and Tyrique George joins him.

Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke are the pair who make way.

Chelsea fans, get excited.

All eyes are on Andrey Santos as he comes on to show what he is all about, and Tyrique George joins him.

Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke are the pair who make way.

Phoarrrrr, where did that come from?

Almost out of nowhere, Noni Madueke nearly drives a belter into the bottom corner. I did not see that coming.

Chelsea work the ball over to the winger in the box and he takes no time at all to get the ball out of his feet and drill it across Ben Said and toward the bottom corner.

But it just flashes wide.

Here are those Chelsea substitutions that I was talking about.

Liam Delap is one of two players to make way, and he leaves with a beaming smile on his face. We all know why.

Marc Guiu comes on to replace him while summer signing Dario Essugo is on for Romeo Lavia.

Can the pair make their mark?

Ohhh, that's a chance, a real chance.

Christopher Nkunu has his head in his hands, he is not happy with himself after wasting a decent opportunity.

The ball comes Nkunku's way on the left-hand side of the area after good work from Noni Madueke, but he snatches at the chance and it goes well wide.

He should be doing better there.

Another change for Esperance.

This one is an enforced one as Jebri can no longer continue and Rodriguez comes on in his place.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are preparing changes of their own.

Two assists is not enough for Enzo Fernandez; now he wants a goal.

The Argentine bends a beauty toward the top corner from the edge of the box, but it drifts just inches over the bar.

The referee gives a goal kick, but the Chelsea man is convinced that the ball took a tickle off the head of an ES Tunis player.

The ref somewhat surprisingly, listens to him and then changes his mind to give a corner to the Blues.

Weird.

The momentum that was gained at the back end of the first half has not rolled on to this second.

Five minutes gone and I have zilch to report.

Wait, just as I say that, Christopher Nkunku goes down in the box, but that is never ever a penalty. A dive, if anything.

Get up, Nkunku.

Esperance made a change at the break.

Derbali has come on for Mokwana, who may have just made his last appearance for the club.

Many think he is off to South Africa, and if that's the case, he won't be happy with how his time in Tunisia has just ended.

Just like in the song Mamma Mia, here we go again.

The players are back out into the sweaty cauldron that is this stadium and are ready to go again.

Chelsea are 45 minutes from the knockout stages.

John Obi Mikel, former Chelsea midfielder, speaking about Liam Delap's goal on DAZN:

We have to start here, don't we?

I had a feeling that tonight would be the night that Liam Delap opened his Chelsea account.

And well, I was bang on.

What a lovely little turn and you just knew from then on that he would find the back of the net.

Well, who saw this coming five minutes ago?

I mean, I certainly didn't. This game was sleepwalking toward a stalemate as half-time approached, and I, for one, could not stop moaning.

But then, two goals in two stoppage time minutes means that all of a sudden, Chelsea are coasting into the knockouts.

I will not be moaning anymore, that's for sure.

What a moment for Liam Delap!

Like London buses, they say. You wait all that time for the opener, and a second comes just two minutes later.

Delap nets his first goal in the blue of Chelsea to double their lead, and what a lovely goal it is.

He takes the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area, turns one defender, beats another, and then drives the ball into the bottom corner.

What a crazy couple of minutes.

Now I really have been shut up!

Ever since I moaned about the amount of stoppage time, Chelsea have come to life, and now they lead.

Enzo Fernandez is involved again as he whips a free-kick into the mixer, and Tosin Adarabioyo climbs highest to meet it.

The centre-back heads the ball back where it came from into the ground, and it bounces into the back of the net.

Just what this game needed.

Well, that nearly shut me up.

Enzo Fernandez nearly hammers home an absolute stunner from 25 yards to make me look silly, but thankfully for my reputation, he doesn't.

Noni Madueke does really well to make his way up to the edge of the box before shifting the ball to Fernandez.

The ball bobbles nicely for the Argentine as he runs onto it, but he got just a bit too excited.

Close, but no cigar.

Ref, why have you done this to us?

This has hardly been a fun game to watch, and now we have to watch five more minutes of it.

I hate to be a grump, but I hate when fans to the Mexican wave.

They are doing it right now and that just tells me that this tournament is just a glorified pre-season competition.

Imagine somebody tried to start that wave in the Premier League.

Yep, you're all laughing after that sentence, aren't you? It wouldn't go down well.

Chelsea are lacking so much quality up front tonight.

Delap has been a nuisance, as I said, but they have still barely created any chances.

It feels like the Flamengo match all over again.

Oh my, oh my, oh my...

Liam Delap, what is that?

Just after I praised the fella, Delap misses an absolute sitter as the ball comes his way six yards out.

Luckily for him, he was miles offside and the flag is up, but still, he shanks wide after the ball falls his way following Hosj Acheampong's effort.

Delap may have been put off by some defending, but still... no excuses for that miss.

Liam Delap has been by far Chelsea's most dangerous asset so far.

Every time the striker gets the ball he looks to accelerate and cause some problems.

He can't quite get a shot away this time, but Benoit Badiashile does eventually, and Chelsea win a corner.

A water break... another one.

It's a proper one too, even the grass is getting a drink as the sprinklers are out.

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca does not look happy as he is deep in conversation with Enzo Fernandez.

Things not going Chelsea's way right now.

I have a bad feeling that this will end 0-0.

If those of us in the UK have stayed up just for this to be a stalemate, I don't know what I'll do.

Oh yeah, I said I would cry. I would do that. Seriously, no joke.

Chelsea are starting to go through the gears now.

Don't get me wrong, they aren't playing that well, but little by little, they are pushing Esperance backward.

Rome Lavia has a crack from miles out, but his effort is blocked.

The players are taking some time for a quick drink.

I mean, it's fair. This is the hottest day on record in Philadelphia, which is saying something.

It's normally a city known for its snow, not its sun.

How a man as pasty white as Liam Delap is not burning in this, I will never know.

OK, that's a bit harsh, isn't it?

Captain fantastic to the rescue!

For a second, it looks as though Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to head Chelsea in front from Malo Gusto's cross.

I even get ready to click goal, but Meriah gets back to head the ball off the line.

Well, I say off the line, but the replays show he was a few yards out, and the header was nowhere near going in anyway.

Still, we will give him praise... only fair.

How is that not a yellow card?

Ben Ali turns into a prime Randy Orton and clotheslines Noni Madueke as the winger looks to break away.

You just expect the full-back to be booked, but the card stays in the referee's pocket.

Strange, very strange.

That's better, much better.

Liam Delap must have been told about my post because he has just come to life.

The striker is just so explosive and he dances away from a couple of bodies before driving a powerful low drive at goal.

It's a decent effort, but it's saved comfortably before Yan Sasse nearly sends a volley into orbit at the other end.

Better than nothing, I guess.

Come on guys, make this a more interesting game, please.

I told my colleague earlier that I would cry if this were a stalemate due to the fact that I should be sound asleep by now.

And these first 13 minutes have worried me greatly... so boring.

ES Tunis have wheels up top, jeez.

Every time they get on the counter, they have numbers flying forward, and Chelsea look worried.

This could be a long night for the Blues backline, it seems.

Oh, Liam Delap...

Nope, he has not had a chance, but he should have had one.

The striker gets stuck falt-footed at the back post as a Benoit Badiashile header comes his way following a corner.

He needs to be on his toes, but the chances goes begging as he doesn't react quickly enough.

ES Tunis then counter, but nothing doing.

OK, OK... the seats are filling up.

I had a pop at how few fans seemed to be in the stadium before, but it appears that more have arrived just before this game started.

The bottom tier is nearly full. However, the top tier is empty, and this ground is still too big for this game.

Right, we are underway after that ridiculously naff build-up to this one.

The ball is rolling, and I hope that those of you who are reading this from the UK can stay up as long as possible.

And if you are, let's hope we are entertained.

Jeez, the player-by-player introductions are naff.

I have been off work for the past two weeks, so haven't had the chance to comment on it until now, but my word, it's silly. This isn't a 100m final, this is a football match.

You can tell that the players don't like it, either. Not a single one smiles as they make their way out onto the pitch.

Also, the atmosphere is pretty dead here. The ES Tunis fans are packed into one end, but bar that, there is little noise and a lot of empty seats.

Says everything about this controversial competition.

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea boss, on DAZN:

On why Andrey Santos isn't starting:

On being favourites to qualify:

Right, we are nearly there.

I hope those of you Chelsea fans in the UK have managed to stay up with me - here's to hoping it's worth it.

Both teams are currently just polishing off their final preparations and will go back into the dressing rooms any moment now.

15 minutes until the ball gets rolling!

John Obi Mikel, former Chelsea midfielder, speaking about Liam Delap on DAZN:

If even an Argentine is wiping their face with water, then you know the heat is pretty darn bad.

Enzo Fernandez hasn't been warming up long, but it appears as though he needs to wipe the sweat away.

These are the types of games I am happy to stay home for; I'd melt over in Philly.

These guys know how to get rowdy.

ES Tunis may not be the most well-known side ever - I mean, not many of you will know who they are - but they have some of the best fans at the Club World Cup.

They have been brilliant so far in the group stage, and I expect them to bring the noise again tonight.

Let's hope we get a good atmosphere.

Liam Delap is already getting a lot of love from the Chelsea fans, despite only arriving earlier this month.

I'm just surprised this sign doesn't say, 'Please, can I have your shirt?'.

They just want Delap to feel the love, that's it. How it should be.

Right, it's about time.

It's taken me a while, but I have finally gotten a hold of the ES Tunis starting XI.

I was starting to think I never would, but here it is.

ES Tunis starting line-up: Ben Said; Ben Ali, Meriah (c), Yan Sasse, Tougai, Jabri, Ben Hmida, Ogbelu, Konate, Mokwana, Guenichi

Benoit Badiashile, Chelsea defender, speaking to DAZN:

On the soaring temperature in Philadelphia:

Liam Dealp is going to be a hit at Chelsea, I just know it. Yes, I know we don't have much evidence to prove that theory yet, but just trust me.

When have I ever steered you wrong? Actually, don't answer that.

Honestly, though, Delap is one hell of a talent, and he is going to bag a lot of goals in the blue of Chelsea. The proof was in the pudding at Ipswich last season; he is a baller.

He is yet to score for Chelsea thus far in his two games, but only one of them was a start, and he is still just finding his feet. His time will come.

Is that time tonight?

Oh look, the 12 fans that have tickets have arrived...

Only joking, a further 12 might turn up, we will see.

Anyway, the Chelsea boys are in town, and it seems that those who have turned up at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium early are happy to see them.

Just look at some of those smiles!

'Is it too late now to say sorry?'

I hope that Nicolas Jackson is listening to the song Sorry by Justin Bieber through those headphones because that's what he should be after his brain fart against Flamengo.

If this were a Premier League game, Jackson would be nowhere to be seen after being suspended for two games.

But... it's not.

So, instead, Jackson has arrived with the Chelsea camp just to watch from the sidelines.

I wonder what is going through his head - he doesn't look happy.

Enzo Maresca has taken a sledgehammer to the team that lost to Flamengo last week.

No, not literally... I hope.

The Italian has made eight changes with just Liam Delap, Malo Gusto, and Enzo Fernandez keeping their starting spots.

Delap's start is partly due to the fact that Nico Jackson decided to go a bit bonkers and pick up a red card against the Brazilian side.

Also, as I have already revealed, Cole Palmer is on the bench.

Ohhhh...

I have some early team news for you all because I know how much you love it. I mean, who doesn't love getting a sneak peek, eh?

It's one of the favourite parts of my job, finding out team news a little early. Is that sad? I hope not.

Anyway, what I can tell you is that Cole Palmer has been dropped by Enzo Maresca after his abject display against Flamengo.

That's all I can tell you for now, but soon the full XI will be revealed...

So, who will Chelsea play if they win?

Bayern this, and Bayern that. For the past few days, everybody has just expected Chelsea to face Bayern Munich in the round of 16. It's all I have heard from Blues fans.

Well, they won't be.

Bayern were beaten by Benfica earlier today, which meant that the Portuguese side secured top spot in Group C.

It means the winner of tonight's game will face them in the next round.

We are getting to THAT stage in the competition now.

I know a lot of people have moaned about the Club World Cup, and I mean, it's easy to see why.

A lot of the group games have been, well, let's say, pretty darn tough to watch. The small crowds say everything, pretty much.

But I have a feeling there will be a lot more eyes on it once we get into the knockout stages. The match-ups will be much better.

We already know four of the ties in the round of 16, and tonight we will find out two more.

Here is the schedule for the next round, so far:

Saturday

Sunday

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager, speaking on Monday:

It's all pretty simple, really.

Avoid defeat, and Chelsea will be in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.

However, nothing in football is ever that simple, let's be real. ES Tunis are here to be the party poopers.

The Tunisian side can qualify themselves if they beat Chelsea, which would in turn eliminate Enzo Maresca's team.

Flamengo and LA FC's fate is already sealed, with the Brazilian side set to finish top of Group D and the US side already knocked out of the competition.

So, while they play tonight, their game is irrelevant. All eyes are on Philly.

Can Chelsea get the job done?

Jeeeez, it's hot over in Philadelphia.

As I type this, the London skies outside are completely pitch black, and the stars are shining brightly. It's still hot, but not too hot.

Meanwhile, over in Philly, there is not a single cloud in the sky, and it is currently 37 degrees. Yep, you read that right. 37!

My colleague Kieran Gill, who is out there, has told me that he will be living off iced coffee this evening, and I certainly don't blame him. I don't know how I would cope in that heat.

I hope the Chelsea players brought their sun cream because they will burn badly if they don't. I'm not sure how they are going to deal with these temperatures.

Good luck, Kieran... I hope you at least get a tan.

Right, who's still up then?

Well, I am, and I'm sure there are many devout Chelsea fans within the UK who are with me.

If you're in the US, well, lucky you. You don't have to keep your eyelids open with toothpicks to follow this match. You can grab a drink of your choice and enjoy the show.

What is that show, I hear you say?

Chelsea are bidding to bounce back from the disappointment of last week's loss at the hands of Flamengo to ensure safe passage to the Club World Cup knockout stages as they take on Tunisian side ES Tunis in Philadelphia.

All they have to do is avoid defeat, and they will be in the last 16. Sounds straightforward, am I right?

Well, the Blues haven't made things easy in this competition, so I wouldn't be sure that tonight will be a walk in the park.

Anyway, shall we get things started? I think so.