Chelsea has officially secured their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, following a decisive 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium. The win sees the English giants advance, ending Fluminense’s impressive run as the last South American representative in the tournament.
The night belonged to Chelsea’s new signing, Joao Pedro, who proved to be the pivotal figure. The dynamic forward opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Receiving the ball just outside the penalty area, Pedro unleashed a clean strike that left the Fluminense goalkeeper with no chance, sending the ball directly into the back of the net.
In a poignant display of sportsmanship, Pedro, who previously played for Fluminense between 2011 and 2019, chose a subdued celebration. He raised his hands in a gesture of respect towards the fans of the club that played a significant role in his early career development.
The first half was not without its moments of drama. Before the break, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was involved in a handball incident within the penalty area. However, after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, the decision was made that no penalty would be awarded, allowing play to continue.
Following the halftime interval, Chelsea maintained their momentum. Just 11 minutes into the second half, in the 56th minute, Joao Pedro struck again. Capitalizing on a swift counter-attack, he netted his second goal of the match. Consistent with his earlier display, Pedro once more showed respect to his former team’s supporters during his celebration.
Despite Chelsea’s continued efforts to extend their lead, the score remained 2-0 until the final whistle, confirming their passage to the prestigious final.
Chelsea now awaits the outcome of the other semi-final clash, which will see European powerhouses Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain battle for the remaining spot. The highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
