Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson Sent Off as Flamengo Triumph 3-1 in Club World Cup
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson was sent off four minutes after replacing Liam Delap in the striker department, as Flamengo defeated the Blues 3-1 in the Club World Cup. The Senegal international striker’s dismissal came after a late, studs-up challenge on Flamengo defender Lucas Ayrton, which led to a crucial turning point in the match.
The match had been going well for Chelsea, with Pedro Neto scoring an early strike. However, Flamengo fought back, with Bruno Henrique and Danilo scoring in a six-minute collapse to give the Brazilian club a 2-1 lead. Wallace Yan rounded off the scoring with a late goal, securing a 3-1 victory for Flamengo.
Jackson’s red card is likely to result in a suspension, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca anticipating a longer ban. When asked about the sending off, Maresca said: “It happened against Newcastle and today. I am not 100% sure it’s a red card compared to the Newcastle one. It’s a little bit of a bad moment for Nico. The red card has nothing to do with Nico’s future… Nico knows in both games it was not good for the team.”
The red card means Delap will likely start the next match, an important clash against Tunisian side ES Tunis, and the opening game of the Premier League season at home to Crystal Palace. Jackson apologized on Instagram, issuing a statement less than two hours after the match had finished. “I want to say sorry,” he wrote. “To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. Another red card… and honestly, I’m so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.”
Jackson’s apology was also extended in person to his teammates, with defender Marc Cucurella revealing that the striker said sorry after the match. Maresca echoed this, stating that Jackson apologized for his actions. “Nico apologised,” Maresca said. “At Newcastle, we were just 1-0 down and it was in the first half. Today, we were 2-1 down but with half-an-hour left. There was time to play, but with one man down it became all the more difficult.”
The defeat highlights Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities, and the team will need to regroup and reassess their strategy to avoid further setbacks. Flamengo’s victory, on the other hand, showcases their attacking flair and resilience, making them a formidable opponent in the Club World Cup .