Joao Pedro brace sends Chelsea into FIFA Club World Cup final
New summer signing Joao Pedro scored a brilliant brace as Chelsea defeated Fluminense 2-0 in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday, booking a place in Sunday’s final.
The Brazilian forward struck clinically in the 18th minute at the MetLife Stadium and added his second just before the hour mark, sealing the Blues’ spot in the title decider against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
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Signed last week from Brighton for a reported £60 million ($79 million), the 23-year-old cut short his vacation to join Chelsea and made his debut as a substitute in the quarter-final win over Palmeiras. He replaced the suspended Liam Delap in the starting XI and delivered an immediate impact.
Despite his heroics, Joao Pedro showed respect by not celebrating either goal against Fluminense, the club where he began his professional career and made 36 senior appearances before moving to England with Watford in 2020.
The defeat ends a memorable run for 2023 Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense, who impressed with strong performances throughout the tournament, drawing with Borussia Dortmund, eliminating Inter Milan in the Round of 16, and knocking out Al-Hilal in the quarters.
With their exit, South America’s hopes of winning the expanded 32-team Club World Cup have faded, while Chelsea move into the final after back-to-back victories over Brazilian sides.
“It is a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season – top four in the league, winning the Conference League, and now in the final of this competition. We are so, so happy,” said Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca to DAZN.
“Now, finally, it is the last game of the season; we can say that, and hopefully we can win the tournament.”
