Chelsea progressed to the final of the Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense, thanks to a clinical performance from their new signing Joao Pedro. The 23-year-old forward, making his full debut, found the net twice to seal a convincing win in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Pedro opened the scoring in the 18th minute, curling home a well-placed shot after a defensive error by veteran centre-back Thiago Silva, who failed to clear a cross from winger Pedro Neto. The second goal came just after the break, a thunderous strike that crashed in off the underside of the bar, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and effectively putting the game beyond reach.
His brace not only secured Chelsea’s place in Sunday’s final but also began to justify the hefty £55m fee paid to acquire him from Brighton just a week earlier. The London club have now earned £82m from the competition, with the potential to reach nearly £100m should they lift the trophy.
Despite the scoreline, Chelsea could have had more. Christopher Nkunku had multiple chances to add to the tally and delivered one of his best displays of the year, showing energy and attacking intent throughout. At the back, Marc Cucurella was alert to clear a goal-bound shot from Hercules, while substitute Everaldo was denied by a smart save.
Fluminense, while competitive, had reason to feel frustrated. They were initially awarded a penalty in the first half for a handball by Trevoh Chalobah, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review by referee Francois Letexier. It was a contentious moment, but ultimately didn’t change the momentum of the match.
From the moment Chelsea broke the deadlock, they looked the more likely side to dominate. The humid 35°C heat didn’t slow them down, and the mostly-full stadium saw a professional and controlled performance from the Premier League side.
The only downside for Chelsea was a late injury scare involving Moises Caicedo, who appeared to twist his ankle deep into stoppage time. He left the pitch under his own power but looked in discomfort, and his condition will be monitored closely ahead of the final.
Among the standout performers, Joao Pedro naturally drew headlines for his goals and composure under pressure. But Pedro Neto, provider of the opening goal, was also exceptional throughout and may be a contender for player of the tournament. Enzo Fernandez and Cucurella both put in solid shifts, while the collective defensive effort ensured a clean sheet.
Next up for Chelsea is a high-stakes showdown against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the final, scheduled for Sunday evening. Fluminense, meanwhile, will return home to resume their domestic campaign with upcoming fixtures against Mirassol and Cruzeiro.
