Chelsea began their World Club Championship campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC in Group D, despite nearly 50,000 empty seats at the stadium in Atlanta, AFP reported.

Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez gave the Blues a good start in a tough match against one of the three MLS teams to qualify for the tournament.

New signing Liam Delap made his debut as a substitute and assisted Fernandez's goal, with Chelsea hoping to go far after their triumph in the UEFA Conference League and qualification for the Champions League, with the aim of re-establishing themselves among the elite.

After a solid start to the tournament in terms of attendance over the weekend, just over 22,000 spectators took their seats at the stylish 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Behind former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the first half, several hundred LA FC ultras helped create an atmosphere with drumbeats and non-stop singing.

Although the stadium's closed roof offered shelter from the Georgia humidity and afternoon summer sun, under which the stars of Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid baked at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, attendance was low due to the 3 p.m. local kickoff time.

Despite regular large crowds for MLS team Atlanta United, the most supported team in the US, few locals decided to take the day off for the first match of the tournament on a weekday, which was clearly chosen to accommodate British television audiences.

After defeating Club America in a qualifying match for the tournament in May, LA FC took the place of the disqualified Mexican team Club Leon and will not play any of its three group matches in California.

The upper stands of the stadium were completely closed, and the remaining sections were only partially filled, despite a reduction in ticket prices in the days leading up to the match.

On the eve of the match, Lloris assessed his team's chances against Chelsea as "very slim" and had to intervene several times after the Blues took control from the start.

The French goalkeeper saved shots from Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke after the Senegalese striker set him up, while Cole Palmer fired just over the bar.

While new signing Delap watched from the bench, Jackson played like a man determined to keep his place in the starting line-up.

The striker played a key role in Neto's first goal, setting up the Portuguese winger with an excellent pass.

Neto broke into the penalty area, left LA defender Ryan Hollingshead helpless, and then beat Lloris with a powerful shot into the near post.

Delap's debut
Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud came on at the start of the second half for the Americans, hoping to threaten Robert Sanchez's goal more than Steve Cherundolo's side had managed in the first half.

Jackson got close with a header and LA almost equalized, but Sanchez made an excellent save with his foot to prevent 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga from scoring after he had beaten Neto.

Maresca brought on 22-year-old striker Delap for his Chelsea debut after an hour of play, having started the game with all of the club's new signings on the bench.

The striker burst into space and tried to pass to Fernandez with a promising first touch for Chelsea since arriving from relegated Ipswich Town.

Chelsea star Palmer, who showed flashes of brilliance, shot over the bar.

Los Angeles threatened more and more, with Marc Cucurella blocking David Martinez's shot well before Fernandez scored Chelsea's second goal.

The Argentine midfielder entered the penalty area, controlled Delap's cross from the right and beat Lloris to seal the match.

In another Group D match, Esperance Tunis will face Brazilian side Flamengo. |BGNES