Chelsea vs Fluminense: Joao Pedro Fires Blues to Final

Chelsea vs Fluminense lit up MetLife Stadium on Tuesday afternoon as the Premier League side booked a 2-0 victory and a place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. New signing Joao Pedro delivered a breathtaking debut brace against his boyhood club, powering Enzo Maresca’s squad past the Copa Libertadores champions and into a Sunday showdown with either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.

The Joao Pedro Show Steals Headlines

The 23-year-old Brazilian needed just 18 minutes to justify his £45 million January arrival. Collecting a square pass from Conor Gallagher, Pedro shifted onto his right boot and bent a 25-yard rocket past keeper Fabio to open the scoring. His second, shortly after the interval, was even sweeter: a delicate give-and-go with Enzo Fernandez ended with Pedro thundering a shot in off the underside of the bar. MetLife erupted; Fluminense’s back line simply had no answer to his movement, power, and clinical finishing.

Chelsea vs Fluminense: Tactical Blueprint of a Semi-Final

Maresca stuck with his 3-2-4-1, trusting Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto to provide width while Moisés Caicedo screened the back three. The Italian’s shape stifled Flu’s famed quick-passing triangles, forcing Fernando Diniz’s men wide and into harmless crosses. Even without suspended centre-back Levi Colwill and forward Liam Delap, the Blues controlled tempo, pinned the Brazilians deep, and triggered aggressive counter-presses that repeatedly won possession high up the pitch.

Midfield Mastery and Wing-Back Width

• Caicedo and Fernandez strangled the midfield with relentless pressing.
• Cucurella’s last-ditch clearance on 26 minutes preserved Chelsea’s lead and energised the side.
• Gusto’s overlapping runs occupied left-back Marcelo, freeing Raheem Sterling to roam inside and overload zone 14.

Key Moments That Defined Chelsea vs Fluminense

1. 18’ – Pedro’s first thunderbolt sets the tone.
2. 26’ – Cucurella’s goal-line heroics deny Hercules a certain equaliser.
3. 36’ – VAR overturns a Fluminense penalty after replays show Trevoh Chalobah’s arm in a natural position.
4. 56’ – Pedro’s second strike kills the tie.
5. 74’ – Robert Sanchez produces a fingertip save from Jhon Kennedy’s header to preserve the clean sheet.

VAR Drama at MetLife

The biggest roar prior to Pedro’s clincher came when referee Ismail Elfath initially pointed to the spot for handball. A swift trip to the monitor reversed the call, and the emotional swing visibly deflated the Brazilian outfit while galvanising Chelsea supporters.

Player Ratings

Robert Sanchez 7 – Commanding late save capped a tidy display.
Malo Gusto 7 – Energetic on both flanks; delivery improved.
Trevoh Chalobah 7 – Composed, and lucky VAR saw sense.
Axel Disasi 7 – Dominant in the air.
Marc Cucurella 8 – Match-saving clearance and endless running.
Moises Caicedo 8 – Midfield metronome.
Enzo Fernandez 8 – Assist and rhythm setter.
Conor Gallagher 7 – Tireless engine, pre-assist for opener.
Raheem Sterling 6 – Threatening runs, but finishing deserted him.
Cole Palmer 6 – Found pockets, lacked final ball.
Joao Pedro 9 – Dream debut brace; Superior Player of the Match.
Subs: Reece James 6, Carney Chukwuemeka 6, Nico Jackson 6, Ben Chilwell 5.

What the Victory Means for the Club World Cup Final

With the expanded 32-team format placing extra strain on squads, Maresca will welcome four days of recovery before Sunday’s final. Real Madrid possess pedigree, while PSG boast superstar firepower, yet Chelsea travel to New Jersey brimming with belief. Crucially, Pedro’s instant chemistry with Fernandez offers a cutting edge that was missing during winter.

Road to the Trophy

Quarter-final: 4-1 vs Monterrey
Semi-final: 2-0 vs Fluminense
Final: Real Madrid or PSG (Sun, 19:00 local)

Opinion: A Brace That Could Transform Chelsea’s Season

Joao Pedro arrived with big expectations and an even bigger price tag. Debuting against the club where he learned his trade, he performed with the swagger of a veteran, not a newcomer. Beyond the goals, his willingness to press, drop deep, and link play suggests Chelsea may finally have found the complete No. 9 they have craved since Diego Costa’s departure. If Pedro maintains this level, the Blues’ domestic top-four push—and perhaps a second Club World Cup crown—suddenly looks far more attainable.