Chelsea Beats Fluminense 2-0 in Club Semis \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ João Pedro scored twice against his former club Fluminense to send Chelsea into the Club World Cup final. The Blues won 2-0 in a humid semifinal at MetLife Stadium. With the win, Chelsea will face either PSG or Real Madrid in Sunday’s all-European title match.
Quick Looks
- João Pedro scored in the 18th and 56th minutes.
- The 23-year-old refused to celebrate against former club Fluminense.
- Chelsea will face PSG or Real Madrid in Sunday’s final.
- Fluminense had a first-half penalty overturned by VAR.
- Moisés Caicedo left the match with a leg injury.
- Match played in 93°F heat, felt like 104°F.
- Over 70,000 attended MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Chelsea secures Club World Cup prize between $88–$104 million.
Deep Look
João Pedro made an emotional and unforgettable first start for Chelsea, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over his boyhood club Fluminense on Tuesday night, guiding the Blues to the Club World Cup final and ensuring an all-European championship showdown.
The 23-year-old forward, who spent nearly a decade at Fluminense before transferring to Watford in 2020, found the net in the 18th and 56th minutes at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Despite his crucial role in Chelsea’s win, João Pedro chose not to celebrate either goal out of respect for the Brazilian club that helped launch his career. After scoring, he paused, lowered his arms, and clasped his hands — a subtle tribute to his roots.
Having joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion on July 2, João Pedro wasted no time making a decisive impact. His first goal came after Fluminense striker Germán Cano lost possession in midfield. João Pedro quickly played it to Pedro Neto, who stormed down the wing and delivered a cross. A misjudged clearance fell kindly to João Pedro, who curled a perfect 20-yard strike into the far corner.
Chelsea doubled the lead in the second half when Facundo Bernal was dispossessed just outside Chelsea’s penalty area. Neto again played a key role, feeding Cole Palmer, who wove through defenders before setting up Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder calmly passed to João Pedro, who sidestepped Ignácio and fired a shot that ricocheted off the underside of the bar and into the net.
While João Pedro’s goals made headlines, the match included several pivotal moments. In the 27th minute, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella made a crucial clearance off the line to deny Hércules. Eight minutes later, referee François Letexier awarded a penalty when a free kick struck the arm of Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. However, following video review by Colombian VAR official Nicolas Gallo, Letexier determined the arm was in a natural position and rescinded the penalty — a decision that may have shifted the momentum firmly in Chelsea’s favor.
Moisés Caicedo suffered a leg injury in stoppage time and had to leave the pitch, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday’s final.
This win sends Chelsea into their second Club World Cup final, seeking their second title after winning the tournament in 2021. They will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, who meet Wednesday in the other semifinal. Regardless of the outcome, the final will mark the 12th consecutive win by a European club in the tournament and the 17th in the past 18 editions — with only Corinthians’ 2012 win over Chelsea breaking the streak.
Fluminense had hoped to replicate that Brazilian triumph, but Tuesday’s loss was a bitter blow, especially after being initially awarded a penalty. Their midfield effort and early attacking energy were not enough to overcome a clinical Chelsea side.
The semifinal was played under extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 93°F (34°C) at kickoff and humidity making it feel like 104°F (40°C). Despite the heat, 70,556 fans filled the stadium, roughly 85-90% of its capacity. Notably, FIFA slashed ticket prices from a staggering $473.90 to just $13.40 last week in an attempt to boost attendance.
Financially, Chelsea’s advance to the final has major implications. While FIFA has not disclosed the exact participation fee, reports estimate the club will receive between $88.4 million and $103.8 million in total compensation for reaching the championship match.
As Sunday’s final looms, Chelsea will look to build on the momentum created by João Pedro’s breakout performance. Whether facing Kylian Mbappé’s PSG or Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid, the Blues are now just one win away from adding another international title to their collection — and João Pedro may have just earned a lasting place in club history.
Chelsea Beats Fluminense Chelsea Beats Fluminense
You must Register or Login to post a comment.