João Pedro is living a dream after his sensational performance propelled Chelsea to the FIFA Club World Cup final. The Brazilian forward, in his full debut for the Blues, scored twice against his former club, Fluminense, securing a 2-0 victory in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Just six days after signing with Chelsea from Brighton for £60 million, the 23-year-old Pedro made an immediate impact. In the 18th minute, he received a cleared cross from Pedro Neto and curled a stunning shot past Fluminense's 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, opening his account with his new club in spectacular fashion. Pedro's celebrations were muted out of respect for Fluminense, where he spent eight years in their youth academy. Chelsea continued to press, and Malo Gusto nearly doubled the lead, but his header went straight to Fabio. Fluminense threatened when Hercules rounded Robert Sanchez, but Marc Cucurella cleared the shot off the line. A potential penalty for Fluminense, initially awarded for a Trevoh Chalobah handball, was overturned after a VAR check.
The second half saw Chelsea maintain their dominance. In the 56th minute, Enzo Fernandez delivered a superb through-ball to Pedro, who cut inside and unleashed a powerful strike that went in off the crossbar. This second goal all but sealed Chelsea's place in the final. Despite the sweltering conditions, with temperatures around 34°C (93°F), Chelsea managed the game effectively. Moises Caicedo appeared to sustain an injury late in the game, a potential concern for manager Enzo Maresca. Nicolas Jackson had an opportunity to add a third goal but fired into the side-netting.
Chelsea's victory ensures their place in the Club World Cup final, marking their third appearance in the competition. They previously lost to Corinthians in 2012 and won against Palmeiras in 2021. The win guarantees Chelsea a cash prize of around £80 million, with the chance to win over £90 million in the final. They will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, who will compete in the other semi-final. The final is scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Maresca praised Pedro's sharpness and technical ability, highlighting his impact on the team. He also expressed satisfaction with his striking options and looked forward to the final against either PSG or Real Madrid. Chelsea fans can purchase tickets for the final through FIFA's ticketing portal, with sales starting on Wednesday.
Fluminense, captained by former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, had a good run in the tournament but ultimately fell short against a strong Chelsea side.
