Chelsea has successfully navigated the semifinal hurdle of the FIFA Club World Cup, securing their place in the final with a controlled 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense. The match, held at MetLife Stadium, saw a familiar face deliver the crucial goals, propelling the London club closer to more major silverware.
The undisputed hero of the night was forward Joao Pedro. Making his first start for the Blues in place of the suspended Liam Delap, the Brazilian demonstrated exactly why he was brought into the squad, netting both goals. Adding a layer of narrative interest, these were not only his first goals for Chelsea but also came against his former club, Fluminense. His clinical finishing proved the difference, providing Chelsea with the necessary advantage to control the tie and ultimately secure the win.
While Joao Pedro provided the attacking thrust, the midfield duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez laid a strong foundation. Their positional awareness and defensive diligence were instrumental in stifling Fluminense`s creative efforts before they could genuinely threaten. Fernandez, in particular, combined defensive solidity with sharp forward passing, culminating in an assist for Joao Pedro`s second goal – a strike that provided crucial breathing room for Chelsea heading into the latter stages of the match.
The tie was not entirely without moments of tension. Towards the end of the first half, defender Marc Cucurella was required to clear an effort off the line, preventing Fluminense from potentially equalizing. Shortly thereafter, a penalty was awarded against Trevoh Chalobah for a handball. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned. Under the specific interpretation of the handball rule applied in the Club World Cup, Chalobah was deemed to have his arms in a “natural position,” granting Chelsea a significant reprieve and highlighting the fine margins in elite competition – and occasionally, the subjective nature of refereeing decisions.
Having already secured the Conference League title earlier in the season, Chelsea now stands 90 minutes away from adding the Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet. This marks their first appearance in the final of this competition since they lifted the trophy in 2021, albeit in a significantly larger format this time around.
Chelsea will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid in the final on July 13. Facing off against one of Europe`s established giants will provide a robust test for Enzo Maresca`s side, offering valuable insight as they prepare for their return to the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming season. Regardless of the final outcome, their journey through the tournament has demonstrated their potential and serves as a promising conclusion to the competitive phase of their campaign before the offseason begins.
Dominic Ashworth