Chelsea beat 10-man Benfica thanks to three late extra-time goals in an extraordinary Club World Cup last-16 match that lasted more than four hours and included a near two-hour delay for extreme weather, BBC reported.

Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the second half of extra time in Charlotte, North Carolina eventually saw Chelsea through to the quarter-finals. 

The Premier League side had been heading for an uneventful victory, with Reece James' brilliant near-post free-kick in the 64th minute looking like the winner.

However, with just four minutes left, players were taken off the pitch due to thunderstorms in the area and, when the teams eventually returned after nearly two hours, Benfica scored with their first shot on target to take the game into extra time, according to BBC.

Angel di Maria, playing his final game for Benfica, converted from the penalty spot in the 94th minute after a Chelsea handball to make it 1-1.