Chelsea are the first team through to the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) after a 2-0 win at the MetLife Stadium over Fluminense, whose elimination ends South American participation in the tournament.
On an 11-match unbeaten run, Fluminense were not over to roll over against the Premier League side, whose early half-chances for Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández were thwarted by a sturdy defence.
However, the Tricolor possessed no respond to Chelsea’s opener after 18 minutes – a Pedro Neto cross from the left was cleared to Joao Pedro just outside the penalty area, and on his first Blues start, the former Fluminense man curled a delightful shot around Fábio and into the net.
Enzo Maresca’s team were keen to press home the advantage and came close via a Malo Gusto header, only for Fluminense to carve out their best chance of the half when Hércules exploded into the area, nutmegging Robert Sánchez, only to be refused by a Cucurella clearance off the line.
Chelsea were living dangerously again when a free-kick into the box struck Trevor Chalobah on the arm, but having granted a penalty, referee François Letexier overturned his decision following a VAR review, deeming Chalobah’s arm to be in a natural position.
Neto and Christopher Nkunku possessed late chances, but Chelsea couldn’t add a second before half time.
MomentumOpta by Stats PerformThe search for the killer second goal continued after the shatter through long-range efforts from Moisés Caicedo and Cucurella, while Renato Gaúcho’s side looked to be a threat on the shatter as substitute Everaldo compelled the first save of the half from Sánchez.
Yet, it was the Brazilian side who obtained caught on the counter-attack 10 minutes in – Cole Palmer gripped off challenges inside his own half before Fernández took over, spreading the ball forward to João Pedro, who cut into the box and rifled a strike in off the crossbar.
Half of Flu’s goals at this CWC possessed come in the final 20 minutes, which perhaps offered Lima licence to try his luck from range in the 71st minute after they possessed survived further opportunities for Nkunku and Gusto.
Substitute Nicolas Jackson missed a pair of chances to seal the victory, though Fluzão dropped short to create enough to test Sánchez in the latter stages.
Match statsOpta by Stats PerformIt’s a second CWC elimination to an English side in three years for the Brazilians, while Chelsea will aim for their second global title against Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
Betopick Man of the Match: Joao Pedro (Chelsea)Catch up on the match summary with Betopick_______________________________________________BetopickFIFA Club World Cup - Every Game Free, exclusively on DAZN.
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