Chelsea secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brazilian giants Palmeiras on July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The match, witnessed by a vibrant crowd of 65,782, delivered high drama, showcasing both teams’ attacking prowess and defensive resilience, with a late stroke of fortune ultimately sending the Blues through to the semi-finals.
The game ignited early when Chelsea’s talisman Cole Palmer struck in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a slick team move to fire the Blues ahead. His precise finish past Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton set the tone for a dominant first half, where Chelsea controlled 68% of possession and peppered the Brazilian goal with nine shots, four on target. Palmeiras struggled to respond, managing just two attempts in the opening 45 minutes, with their first shot on target not arriving until the 42nd minute via a header from Vanderlan, comfortably saved by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez.
The second half saw Palmeiras roar back with renewed vigor, driven by the electric performance of their 18-year-old star Estêvão Willian, who will join Chelsea after the tournament. In the 53rd minute, Estêvão leveled the score with a stunning angled strike, showcasing the skill that has earned him a £52m transfer to Stamford Bridge. Taking an exquisite first touch to create space, he rifled a right-footed shot past Sanchez, the ball clipping the crossbar and far post before nestling in the net. The goal electrified the sizable Palmeiras contingent in the stands, turning the match into a fiercely contested battle.
As the game wore on, Chelsea regained their composure, with their midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, and Andrey Santos—who replaced the injured Reece James before kickoff—working tirelessly to stem Palmeiras’ momentum. Despite Estêvão’s constant threat, Chelsea’s defense, anchored by Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile, held firm. The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Malo Gusto’s cross deflected off Palmeiras’ Agustín Giay and past a wrong-footed Weverton for an own goal. The fortunate strike handed Chelsea a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish, despite a late flurry of chances for Palmeiras, including a close effort from substitute Paulinho that rolled agonizingly wide.
Chelsea’s victory was not without cost, as striker Liam Delap’s first-half yellow card for off-the-ball antics means he will miss the semi-final against Fluminense. Manager Enzo Maresca now faces a selection dilemma, choosing between Nicolas Jackson, recently back from suspension, and João Pedro, who made his debut off the bench. Pedro Neto’s fine form, having scored in three consecutive matches, offers another attacking option for the Blues.
For Palmeiras, the defeat marked the end of an impressive tournament run that saw them keep three clean sheets in four matches. Estêvão, named the Superior Player of the Match despite the loss, left the pitch in conversation with his future Chelsea teammates, a bittersweet moment for the young star. Palmeiras’ resilience was evident, but their inability to convert late chances, coupled with Weverton’s uncharacteristic error, proved costly. Chelsea now advance to face Fluminense in the semi-finals, with the prospect of a £97m windfall still alive.