Chelsea have secured their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup following a decisive 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium. The semifinal clash saw new Blues forward Joao Pedro emerge as the unlikely hero, netting both goals against his boyhood club to propel his team into the tournament decider.
Joao Pedro, making his first start for Chelsea in the absence of the suspended Liam Delap, wasted no time in demonstrating his value. His two goals were not only his first for the London club but also carried the added narrative weight of coming against the team where he began his footballing journey. His clinical finishing makes him the tenth different Chelsea player to score in the competition, presenting coach Enzo Maresca with a welcome selection headache ahead of the final.
Beyond Joao Pedro`s heroics, Chelsea`s control of the match was significantly aided by the midfield partnership of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Their positional discipline and acute awareness effectively stifled Fluminense`s attacking ambitions before they could gather momentum. Fernandez, in particular, was instrumental in facilitating quick transitions with his incisive passing, even providing the assist for Joao Pedro`s crucial second goal, which offered Chelsea much-needed breathing room.
The first half, however, was not without its moments of tension. A goal-line clearance by Marc Cucurella prevented an equalizer, and shortly before the interval, Chelsea faced a penalty scare. Defender Trevoh Chalobah was initially penalized for a handball inside the box. However, a VAR review highlighted a nuanced interpretation of the handball rule specific to this tournament`s regulations. Under review, Chalobah`s arm was deemed to be in a natural running position, resulting in the decision being overturned – a fortunate reprieve that underscores the fine margins at this level and the technical details of rule application.
Granted this lifeline, Chelsea professionally managed the remainder of the game, utilizing their squad depth effectively under Maresca`s guidance. Reaching the Club World Cup final marks Chelsea`s return to this stage for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2021, albeit against a different format of competition. Having already secured the Conference League title this season, the Blues are now just 90 minutes away from adding more silverware to their cabinet.
The final on July 13 will pit Chelsea against either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, two of Europe`s established elite. As Chelsea prepares for a return to Champions League football next season, the Club World Cup final presents an invaluable opportunity to test their mettle against potential European rivals. Regardless of the outcome, their performance in this tournament has provided a solid foundation and reason for optimism heading into the off-season.
