Chelsea secured their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday evening.
New signing Joao Pedro was the star of the night, scoring twice on his full debut to power the Blues into Sunday’s final, where they will face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain. The £60 million summer acquisition from Brighton & Hove Albion found the net on either side of half-time, showcasing the clinical edge Chelsea had been searching for.
While it was a night to remember for the 23-year-old forward, it ended on a worrying note for the Premier League side as midfielder Moises Caicedo limped off late in the match with what appeared to be an ankle injury. The Ecuadorian initially attempted to play on but had to withdraw before the final whistle, casting doubt over his availability for the final just five days away.
Despite the injury setback, it was a largely professional and dominant display from Enzo Maresca’s side, who looked in full control throughout. Fluminense, who had upset expectations in their previous rounds, struggled to match Chelsea’s intensity and organisation, despite some spirited support from their fans who continued singing long after the final whistle.
Chelsea’s superiority was evident in both possession and chances created. The only disappointment for the Blues may be that they did not extend their lead further, with Nicolas Jackson drawing frustration from team-mate Cole Palmer late in the game after opting to shoot into the side-netting rather than square for a tap-in.
Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, and Christopher Nkunku all impressed in a performance that suggested Chelsea are peaking at just the right time in this tournament. With the midfield pairing of Fernandez and Caicedo forming the spine of the side, Chelsea’s progression to the final was well-deserved.
Should Chelsea go on to lift the trophy, it would mark their first Club World Cup triumph since 2021 — a run that began with their Champions League success over Manchester City in Porto. They now await the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for what promises to be an all-European final.
Kick-off for the final is scheduled for Sunday, 13 July, again at the MetLife Stadium.
Final Score: Fluminense 0–2 Chelsea
Chelsea Scorers: Joao Pedro (27′, 52′)
Injury Concern: Moises Caicedo (ankle)
