It was a bright, sunny afternoon outside Lincoln Financial Field as supporters of both CR Flamengo and Chelsea filled the streets and parking lots to show off their colors before kickoff. I even found myself stuck in the traffic jam caused by Flamengo’s march to the stadium—evidence of their passion and commitment.

Flamengo’s fans spent nearly the entire hour before warm‑ups chanting, even when no players were on the pitch—a level of enthusiasm many casual soccer fans (and even some MLS fan bases) might never have witnessed during warm‑ups, let alone before teams emerge from the tunnel.

Chelsea’s faithful were scattered throughout the stadium, while the north end was dominated by Flamengo supporters. Still, when the Blues’ starting XI was announced, those draped in royal blue rose to their feet, applauding and singing their club anthem.

In truth, the crowd leaned about 60/40 in Chelsea’s favor—that’s being generous—because Flamengo’s red‑and‑black hoops peppered nearly every section. Their pockets of supporters routinely drowned out the Premier League giants’ chants.

When Chelsea struck first in the 13th minute—Pedro Neto broke away and beat Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi—the Brazilian contingent only grew louder. Every Flamengo chance, breakaway and turnover lifted the decibel level higher. Whenever Chelsea fans on the south end tried to rally, they were met with deafening boos and even louder counter‑chants.

That, in essence, is the beauty of a tournament like the Club World Cup: fans from every corner of the globe can support their club, whether they hail from America, Brazil, or beyond. You don’t need to fly to Rio de Janeiro to experience Flamengo’s culture; a casual fan who came “just to see what the fuss is about” may leave with a new appreciation for the sport—and perhaps a new club to follow, or at least a desire to back a local side.

The second half’s electric atmosphere fueled Flamengo’s comeback. Bruno Henrique equalized amid a cloud of red‑and‑black smoke billowing from the north end. Afterward, Flamengo manager Filipe Luís reflected:

“I thought we’d have chances against them. I’m really proud—after Wesley’s mistake on Neto’s goal, the team never stopped playing. We kept our style. My heart is warm right now. Bruno Henrique is special; he’s the most decorated player in club history. Whether he plays one minute, five, or ninety, he always gives his heart. I’m thrilled for him.”

Just three minutes later, Danilo beat the Chelsea keeper to make it 2‑1, sending Flamengo fans into rapture—moments rarely seen stateside and moments that can only help the sport grow here.

Both clubs are more than a century old, with Flamengo the elder, and generations have passed their allegiances down. Age hardly diminished Friday afternoon’s spectacle, as Flamengo scored three unanswered goals to defeat Chelsea 3‑1 and seize the top of their group.

With more than 54,000 in attendance, the vibes were immaculate. I’m eager to see what Sunday brings when I return to cover Juventus vs. Wydad AC at noon. One thing is certain: atmospheres like Friday’s can only truly be felt in person.