Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticized the decision to suspend the Club World Cup last-16 tie with Benfica due to extreme weather as "a joke," stating that the US may not be the ideal location for the competition. The match, which took place in Charlotte, ended with a 4-1 extra-time victory for Chelsea, following a two-hour suspension due to thunderstorms within an eight-mile radius of the venue. The weather disruption was one of the Club World Cup talking points, with games also affected by extreme heat. Chelsea players were frustrated when pulled off the pitch, with some taking turns to cycle on exercise bikes to keep their muscles warm during the break. Maresca expressed concern over the impact of the delay on performance, as Chelsea were in control of the game before the stoppage. The stoppage was the second longest of the tournament, with Benfica also experiencing a two-hour delay in their match against Auckland City. There have been six similar stoppages in five different cities, including heavy rain and storms. This may be a concern for next year's World Cup, which is set to be expanded to 48 teams and hosted by the US and Canada.
Source: BBC Sports Football
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