Chelsea have booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 win over Brazilian giants Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It was a night to remember for João Pedro, who marked his first start for the Blues with a stunning brace against his former club.
The 23-year-old forward, signed earlier this month from Brighton, opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a sensational curling effort from outside the box. Pedro then sealed the victory early in the second half, smashing home a rebound after a swift Chelsea counter-attack.
The win was a statement of intent from Enzo Maresca’s side, who dominated large spells of the game despite sweltering heat and humid conditions in the United States. Chelsea’s midfield trio controlled possession with composure, while Marc Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah were solid in defence, with the latter involved in a VAR-reviewed handball that was ultimately overturned.
João Pedro showed class beyond his goals, refusing to celebrate against his former side. “I have so much respect for Fluminense,” he said post-match. “They gave me my start in football, and I’ll always be grateful. But I’m proud to help Chelsea reach a final.”
The match wasn’t without tension—Cole Palmer was visibly frustrated late in the second half after Nicolas Jackson failed to square a pass for what could have been a simple finish. The moment reflected Chelsea’s competitive spirit and desire to close games with conviction.
With this result, Chelsea move into Sunday’s Club World Cup final, where they will face the winner of the clash between Real Madrid and PSG. It’s a massive opportunity for Maresca to claim silverware early in his tenure and for Chelsea to lift the global crown for the first time since 2021.
