Joao Pedro Brace Sends Chelsea to Third Club World Cup Final

New Chelsea acquisition Joao Pedro made an immediate impact on his full debut, netting both goals in a 2-0 win over Fluminense on Tuesday that booked the Premier League side a place in the final of the Club World Cup.

Dominant Display at MetLife

The semi-final match, held at MetLife Stadium before a crowd of 70,556, saw the 23-year-old Brazilian striker open the scoring in the 18th minute with a precise finish, before doubling the lead in the second half with a strike that ricocheted in off the crossbar. The performance set Chelsea up for a title clash against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final.

Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion last week for a reported £60 million ($79 million), made his debut as a substitute in the quarter-final victory over Palmeiras. Stepping in for the suspended Liam Delap, he was handed a starting role up front and delivered in style—though he respectfully chose not to celebrate either goal against Fluminense, the club where he began his professional career and played 36 matches before transferring to Watford in 2020.

Fluminense’s Run Ends

Fluminense, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, had enjoyed a fairytale run, eliminating Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, Inter Milan in the round of 16, and Al-Hilal—who had knocked out Manchester City—in the quarter-finals. But against Chelsea, their underdog campaign came to a halt.

The match also marked a return for veteran Thiago Silva, who captained Fluminense against his former club. Despite a determined effort and a near equalizer from Hercules, Chelsea proved too clinical, with Pedro’s brace making the difference.

Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi acknowledged the gulf between the two squads: “This was a wonderful Club World Cup,” he said. “We’re disappointed, but proud. We go back to our reality stronger than before.”

Key Moments and Missed Chances

Aside from Pedro’s goals, Chelsea had several chances to extend their lead. Moises Caicedo, back from suspension, returned to the midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez, who assisted Pedro’s second goal with a well-timed through ball.

Fluminense’s best opportunity came midway through the first half when Hercules, the hero of their previous game, nearly chipped Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez—only for Marc Cucurella to clear the effort off the line. The Brazilian side was also briefly awarded a penalty before VAR overturned the call, ruling out a handball against Trevoh Chalobah.

Following their second goal, Chelsea looked poised to add more, but the focus shifted to maintaining control and fitness. The only blemish on the evening came late on when Caicedo limped off with a suspected injury.

A European Showdown Awaits

With this victory, Chelsea not only ends South America’s hopes of winning the first expanded 32-team Club World Cup but also continues its impressive run against Brazilian sides in the tournament. The final is now guaranteed to feature two of the most dominant forces in European football.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca celebrated the win, noting the club’s exceptional season: “It’s a great achievement—top four in the league, winning the Conference League, and now this final. Hopefully, we can finish on a high.”

As Chelsea prepares for their third match in the competition, the team looks to cap off a resurgent campaign with another piece of silverware and send a strong signal ahead of the new season.