Nicolas Jackson Sent Off on His Birthday vs Flamengo in FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Chelsea’s Fight Continues
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 witnessed drama, passion, and controversy during a high-stakes Group D encounter between Chelsea and Flamengo at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, USA. In a match that already had the markings of a blockbuster, things took a surprising twist when Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, on the day of his 24th birthday, was sent off just four minutes after entering the field.
Although Chelsea ended up losing the match 2-1, the game will be remembered for Jackson’s quick exit, Flamengo’s resilience, and the growing intensity of this prestigious global club tournament.
Quick Match Summary: Chelsea vs Flamengo – Club World Cup 2025
| Match Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 |
| Date | Friday, June 20, 2025 |
| Group | Group D |
| Venue | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA |
| Final Score | Flamengo 2 – 1 Chelsea |
| Chelsea Goalscorer | Raheem Sterling (16’) |
| Flamengo Goals | Pedro (45+2’), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (62’) |
| Red Card | Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea, 67’) |
Nicolas Jackson’s Nightmare Birthday: Red Card After 4 Minutes
Nicolas Jackson, the promising Senegalese international, turned 24 on June 20. However, what should have been a day of celebration turned into frustration. After being subbed in at the 64th minute, Chelsea were already trailing 2-1, and Jackson looked eager to make an impact.
Unfortunately, within four minutes, he lunged into a reckless challenge on Flamengo’s Ayrton Lucas. The referee, without hesitation, flashed a straight red card, stunning both the Chelsea bench and fans around the world.
“It was a rash tackle, especially at this stage of the match. On your birthday, you hope to be the hero, not the villain,” said a football analyst on the FIFA Club World Cup broadcast.
What Happened: Minute-by-Minute Breakdown of the Incident
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 64’ | Nicolas Jackson substituted in for Enzo Fernández |
| 67’ | Jackson commits a high boot foul on Ayrton Lucas |
| 68’ | Referee consults VAR and shows red card |
| 70’ | Chelsea reduced to 10 men with over 20 mins left |
Chelsea’s attempt at a late equalizer was significantly hampered after being down to 10 men, leading to a frustrating defeat in their group-stage opener.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Group D Standings After Match
| Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamengo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| Espérance | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LAFC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chelsea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
With this defeat, Chelsea will now need to win both remaining games — against Los Angeles FC and Espérance de Tunis — to secure a semi-final spot.
Post-Match Reactions
Mauricio Pochettino (Chelsea Manager):
“It’s a difficult moment for Nicolas. Emotions run high in tournaments like this. But we have to focus on the next games.”
Flamengo Coach Tite:
“Our team showed composure. This win is not just about the goals but how we handled pressure.”
Nicolas Jackson (via Instagram):
“Not the birthday I imagined, but I’ll bounce back stronger. Proud to represent Chelsea always.”
What’s at Stake for Chelsea Now?
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is not just a prestige tournament, it is a showcase of global football dominance. Chelsea, having qualified through their strong UEFA Champions League run, were seen as title contenders. However, with this opening loss and Jackson’s suspension:
Upcoming Fixtures:
| Opponent | Date |
|---|---|
| Espérance de Tunis | June 24, 2025 |
| Los Angeles FC | June 28, 2025 |
Must Win: Chelsea must win both fixtures to qualify for the knockout rounds and keep their dream alive.
Nicolas Jackson: Player Profile & Stats (2024–25)
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 |
| Position | Striker |
| Club | Chelsea FC |
| Nationality | Senegal |
| Appearances (2024-25) | 38 Matches |
| Goals Scored | 14 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Red Cards | 1 (vs Flamengo, Club WC 2025) |
Despite the red card, Jackson remains a talented prospect and is expected to return stronger in Chelsea’s domestic and European fixtures.
Chelsea vs Flamengo: Match Summary – Club World Cup 2025
| Match Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Chelsea vs Flamengo |
| Tournament | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 |
| Date | June 20, 2025 |
| Final Score | Flamengo 2-1 Chelsea |
| Stadium | Lincoln Financial Field, USA |
| Chelsea Goalscorer | Raheem Sterling (16′) |
| Red Card | Nicolas Jackson (67’) |
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Group D Standings (After Matchday 1)
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamengo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| Chelsea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| LAFC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Espérance | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Nicolas Jackson – Season Stats (2024–25)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 |
| Club | Chelsea FC |
| Nationality | Senegal |
| Appearances (All Comps) | 38 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Red Cards | 1 (FIFA Club World Cup 2025) |
Flamengo vs Chelsea Live: Where to Watch
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is available for live broadcast in India and globally via the following channels:
| Country | Broadcaster/Platform |
|---|---|
| India | Sony Sports Network / Sony LIV |
| Brazil | Globo / SporTV |
| USA | Fox Sports / FuboTV |
| UK | TNT Sports / Discovery+ |
| Middle East | beIN Sports |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why was Nicolas Jackson sent off against Flamengo?
A: He received a straight red card for a hard tackle on Ayrton Lucas, just four minutes after entering the field.
Q2. What is the score of Chelsea vs Flamengo in the Club World Cup 2025?
A: Flamengo defeated Chelsea 2-1 in their Group D match on June 20, 2025.
Q3. Will Nicolas Jackson be suspended?
A: Yes, he will likely miss the next Club World Cup match due to a straight red card.
Q4. Can Chelsea still qualify for the knockout rounds?
A: Yes, Chelsea can still qualify if they win their next two group-stage matches.
Q5. Where is the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 being held?
A: The tournament is being held in the United States, with matches in cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Conclusion: Jackson’s Red Card Doesn’t Define Him — Chelsea Must Regroup
While the spotlight is on Nicolas Jackson’s unfortunate red card, the larger picture still holds promise for Chelsea. With two games remaining in Group D, the Premier League side has every chance to bounce back.
For Jackson, this incident may haunt him briefly, but as a rising talent, he has the skill and temperament to bounce back stronger — perhaps even with a match-winning performance in Chelsea’s next game.
Chelsea fans — don’t lose hope. The journey in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is far from over!