Chelsea netted three goals following a lengthy delay due to bad weather to defeat 10-man Benfica 4-1 in extra time and advance to the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
With just four minutes remaining in regulation time in Charlotte, the Blues were on the brink of victory after a remarkable free-kick from Reece James, when a thunderstorm disrupted the match.
Following an interruption of nearly two hours, Angel Di Maria leveled the score from the penalty spot, but Chelsea rallied in extra time after Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica was given a red card.
Christopher Nkunku found the back of the net in the 108th minute before additional goals from Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed a well-deserved win, four hours and 38 minutes after the game started at the Bank of America Stadium.
Enzo Maresca’s team will take on Palmeiras in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia on Friday, following Palmeiras' victory over Brazilian rivals Botafogo earlier on Saturday.
Key midfielder Moises Caicedo will be unavailable after receiving a yellow card in the second half in North Carolina.
Chelsea were in control for the majority of the match but couldn't capitalize on several opportunities in the first half.
Marc Cucurella's shot was cleared off the line by Antonio Silva after curling it around goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Trubin then made a save to deny Cole Palmer's effort before stopping another shot from Cucurella.
Benfica had a rare chance thwarted by Reece James' block on an Andreas Schjelderup attempt, while Palmer was also denied by Silva at the other end.
Chelsea carried their momentum into the second half, but a Palmer cross was deflected away by Nicolas Otamendi and Caicedo missed the target.
Chelsea finally broke the deadlock as James took a chance with a set-piece in the 64th minute.
The Blues captain seemed set to deliver a cross from the left side but instead curled a shot with his right foot over the wall and into the net.
Benfica tried to respond, with Evangelos Pavlidis appealing for a penalty after a challenge with Benoit Badiashile, but the referee waved play on. Liam Delap had a goal disallowed for offside.
The match, which had been played in hot conditions, was interrupted as a storm approached towards the end.
This pause was one of several weather delays in the competition. During the break, players were seen passing the time by kicking a ball and exercising in the dressing room.
The break worked in Benfica's favor as they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Malo Gusto off a nod down from Otamendi.
Di Maria converted the spot-kick, his fourth successful penalty in the tournament, forcing the game into extra time.
Benfica were reduced to 10 men when Prestianni received a second yellow card for a foul on Levi Colwill.
Chelsea took control and came close to scoring, with Trubin saving a shot from Palmer, while Sanchez denied Di Maria shortly after.
Nkunku broke the deadlock by scoring on the second attempt after his initial shot was blocked by Otamendi, and Neto and Dewsbury-Hall added to the lead.