Chelsea Storm into Club World Cup Final as Joao Pedro Shines on Debut
Chelsea have booked their place in the final of the Club World Cup after a commanding 2-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense, thanks to a sensational debut performance from new signing Joao Pedro.
The 23-year-old forward, facing his boyhood club, made an immediate impact by scoring both goals in a game that underlined Chelsea’s growing dominance on the world stage. His first came in the 18th minute—a composed curler into the bottom corner after a defensive error by former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva failed to clear a cross from Pedro Neto.
Pedro’s second goal was even more impressive, rifling a shot off the crossbar in the 56th minute to double the lead and effectively seal the match. The £55 million signing from Brighton is already repaying the faith the club showed in him, helping add £22 million more to Chelsea’s already-earned £60 million from the competition.
Chelsea could’ve extended the scoreline further, with Christopher Nkunku coming close multiple times. At the other end, Marc Cucurella pulled off a vital goal-line clearance to deny Hercules, and substitute Everaldo was denied by a strong save.
Fluminense will feel hard done by after the referee, Francois Letexier, overturned a first-half penalty decision for handball by Trevoh Chalobah following a VAR review. However, once Chelsea took the lead, they rarely looked in danger in a sweltering 35°C evening at a nearly full MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
There was a concern late on for Chelsea as midfielder Moises Caicedo limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury in stoppage time.
What’s Next?
Chelsea now await the winner of the other semi-final between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with the final scheduled for Sunday at 20:00 BST, again at the MetLife Stadium.
Fluminense, on the other hand, will return home to continue their domestic campaign, facing Mirassol and Cruzeiro in the coming weeks.
Standout Performers
Joao Pedro rightly claimed the Man of the Match award, but winger Pedro Neto was also exceptional, continuing his form throughout the tournament and putting himself in the conversation for Player of the Tournament.
Midfield maestro Enzo Fernandez and defender Marc Cucurella were also solid, while Christopher Nkunku produced arguably his best showing of 2025 despite transfer speculation swirling around him.
The Bigger Picture
This Club World Cup journey has reflected a uniquely "American Dream" twist for Chelsea—grit, travel, heat, and sacrifice in pursuit of success and rewards. The squad has endured a grueling seven extra matches in extreme temperatures, but they now stand on the brink of a major international trophy.
And if they lift the cup, Chelsea’s financial rewards could touch nearly £100 million—an incredible feat that highlights the high stakes and high rewards of taking the tournament seriously.
Stay tuned for Sunday’s epic finale – Chelsea vs either PSG or Real Madrid. A showdown of champions awaits.
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