New Chelsea signing Joao Pedro scored both goals as the Blues cruised to a 2-0 win over Fluminense, booking their place in the Club World Cup final
The 23-year-old Brazilian forward struck in the 18th minute at the MetLife Stadium and added a second just before the hour mark, sealing Chelsea’s passage to Sunday’s final where they’ll face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
Pedro, signed last week from Brighton for a reported $79 million, had made a brief debut off the bench in the quarter-final win over Palmeiras. With Liam Delap suspended, he was handed his first start and made the most of it—though he respectfully declined to celebrate both goals against his boyhood club, Fluminense, where he made 36 senior appearances before moving to Watford in 2020.
Fluminense, winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores, had impressed in earlier rounds—drawing with Borussia Dortmund, defeating Inter Milan, and knocking out Al-Hilal. But their dream run came to an end against a clinical Chelsea side, who have now beaten two Brazilian clubs on their way to the final.
The result also ends South America’s hopes of claiming the inaugural 32-team edition of the tournament. As expected, the trophy will now be contested between two recent Champions League winners.
“It is a great achievement,” said Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca. “It has been a fantastic season—top four in the league, Conference League winners, and now we’re in the final. We are so, so happy. Finally, it’s the last game of the season, and hopefully we can win it.”
Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi, who had earlier described his side as the “ugly duckling” of the tournament due to the financial gulf between his team and Europe’s giants, praised his players despite the loss.
“This was a wonderful Club World Cup,” said Portaluppi. “There is no crying over spilled milk. We wanted to reach the final for our fans, but we leave with our heads held high. We return to our reality stronger than before.”
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