Chelsea Players at the FIFA World Cup: Round of 32 Updates

On Wednesday, there was more action for Chelsea stars at this summer’s FIFA World Cup round of 32. Let’s take a look at how things went for them.

To begin, due to injury Reece James could not named in the starting XI by manager Thomas Tuchel, as England faced DR Congo in Atlanta. Trevoh Chalobah was again named on the bench. Seven minutes in, the outsider shocked England by taking the lead.

It looked as if The Three Lions were going to be an even bigger shock exit than Germany against Paraguay, but two second half goals from Harry Kane 11 minutes apart saw the whole nation breathe a huge sigh of relief. They had got away with one. 

Although, due to the injury, James did not play a part in this game, many have credited him with calming down Jude Bellingham, who was on a yellow card early on and needed someone to calm him down and keep him in check, which is exactly what the Chelsea skipper did.

Next time out, England will play hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, a ground in which they have only lost two games in 80 + years. A very very hard game, no doubt about that. That will take place on the 6th at 01:00 BST.

Meanwhile, both Mamadou Sarr and Nicolas Jackson were named as substitutes for Senegal as they took on Belgium in Seattle. They would play very well and take a deserved 2-0 lead 51 minutes into the game.

After 85 minutes, it was still 2-0 and they were cruising, playing well on the break. However, a goal from infamous former Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku would make it a nervy ending.

After 85 minutes, it was still 2-0 and they were cruising, playing well on the break. However, a goal from infamous former Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku would make it a nervy ending.

And that’s exactly what it proved to be, as Belgium managed to score a quick fire second just before stoppage time, and we would be heading to extra time.

For the beginning of which, Jackson was introduced to the action. In extra time of stoppage time, Belgium were awarded a controversial penalty. The challenge in question was a foul, but Belgium had got a shot off. Would they have wanted a penalty instead of a goal had they scored? They would convert the pen, winning the game from the unlikeliest of margins. Cruel for Senegal to take.