Brazilian forward dazzles on debut as Chelsea overpower Fluminense in sweltering New Jersey clash.
Joao Pedro made an unforgettable first start for Chelsea, scoring two stunning goals to power the Blues into the Club World Cup final.
Facing his boyhood club Fluminense, the £55m signing showcased ruthless finishing under the blazing 35°C heat at the MetLife Stadium.
The 23-year-old broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a sublime curler after Thiago Silva failed to clear Pedro Neto’s dangerous cross. His second strike, fired in off the crossbar midway through the second half, not only lit up the stadium but also sealed Chelsea’s place in Sunday’s final.
Moreover, the result boosted Chelsea’s earnings at the tournament to £82m. Christopher Nkunku had multiple chances to extend the lead, but Fluminense’s goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable. Despite those missed opportunities, Chelsea’s overall control of the game was never in doubt.
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At the other end, Marc Cucurella produced a vital clearance off the line to deny Hercules, while substitute Everaldo forced a decent save from Chelsea’s keeper. Even so, Fluminense’s hopes dwindled further when a first-half penalty awarded for Trevoh Chalobah’s handball was controversially overturned by referee Francois Letexier following a VAR review.
Though Fluminense might feel hard done by, Chelsea’s dominance in midfield and attack made the outcome inevitable once the opener went in. Their control of the tempo and clinical finishing left the Brazilian outfit chasing shadows throughout the contest.
Unfortunately for the Blues, the night ended with a slight concern. Moises Caicedo appeared to twist his ankle in stoppage time and limped off before the final whistle. While the extent of his injury remains unclear, his fitness could be a factor heading into the all-important final.
Chelsea now await the winner between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, whom they’ll face in Sunday’s final at the same venue.
Tags: Joao Pedro, Chelsea, Fluminense, Club World Cup, #CWC, #FIFAClubWorldCup2025, #KTBFFH, #COYB, #FLUCHE, Moises Caicedo, Francois Letexier, Everaldo, Trevor Chalobah, Hercules, Thiago Silva, #CFC.
