Chelsea FC delivered a commanding performance to defeat Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0, booking their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final. The match, played in front of 70,566 fans under intense 35°C heat, showcased Chelsea’s clinical edge and defensive resilience, with new signing João Pedro stealing the spotlight on his full debut for the Blues.
Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, entered the match as favorites but faced a Fluminense side riding an 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. The Brazilian underdogs, led by coach Renato Portaluppi, had impressed in the tournament, dispatching Inter Milan and Al Hilal in earlier rounds. However, they struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized Chelsea outfit. The Blues, fresh off a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, demonstrated tactical maturity and capitalized on their opportunities.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when João Pedro, the $75-million signing from Brighton, curled a sensational strike past Fluminense’s goalkeeper, Fabio. The Brazilian forward, facing his boyhood club, refrained from celebrating out of respect but had clearly set the tone for Chelsea’s dominance. His second goal, a thunderous shot off the crossbar in the 56th minute, sealed the victory and silenced the vibrant Fluminense supporters in the stands. Pedro’s brace marked him as the first Brazilian to score for Chelsea in an official match since Thiago Silva’s goal against Sheffield United in the 2023-24 season.
Fluminense, anchored by former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, showed flashes of danger, particularly through counter-attacks led by midfielder Hércules Pereira, who had scored in both of their knockout-stage matches. A controversial moment arose when a potential penalty for Fluminense was overturned after a VAR review deemed Marc Cucurella’s handball in a natural position, sparking frustration among the Brazilian players. Cucurella, alongside goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, was instrumental in Chelsea’s defensive solidity, with the Spaniard making a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the clean sheet.
Chelsea’s midfield, marshaled by Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, controlled possession with 53% of the ball and created three big chances compared to Fluminense’s one. Despite a late injury scare for Caicedo, who limped off after Chelsea had used all their substitutes, the Blues held firm. Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer also impressed, with Palmer’s playmaking and Neto’s rotations on the right adding fluidity to Chelsea’s attack. Fluminense’s substitutes, including Keno and Yeferson Soteldo, injected energy but couldn’t breach Chelsea’s backline.
The match wasn’t without its challenges for Chelsea. The intense heat and humidity tested both teams, and Fluminense’s compact 4-3-3 formation limited Chelsea’s space early on. However, Maresca’s side adapted, exploiting gaps with precise passing and clinical finishing. Posts on X reflected the sentiment of Chelsea’s dominance, with fans praising João Pedro’s “Drogba-esque” performance and the team’s composed display.
Chelsea now advances to the final on Sunday, where they will face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain, who meet in the other semi-final. Despite their $2 billion squad value, Chelsea are considered underdogs against either European giant, with PSG fresh off a UEFA Champions League title and Real Madrid boasting a record five Club World Cup trophies. Maresca, however, remains optimistic, hailing the victory over Fluminense as a “great achievement” and expressing confidence in his team’s ability to compete for the $80 million prize.
For Fluminense, the loss ends a remarkable run in the tournament. Portaluppi, who called his team the “ugly ducklings” of the competition, acknowledged their effort but lamented their inability to match Chelsea’s individual quality. The Brazilian side’s journey, which included a 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the 2023 Club World Cup final, underscores their potential but also the gap against Europe’s elite.