Chelsea has secured their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, overcoming Brazilian side Fluminense with a decisive 2-0 victory. The semifinal encounter saw a standout performance, most notably from a new face making his mark immediately upon arrival.
The evening belonged in large part to Joao Pedro. Making his first start for the London club, the forward delivered precisely what was required, netting both goals against his former youth team, Fluminense. This debut scoring performance, filling in for the suspended Liam Delap, highlights his immediate integration and value to the squad. His timely contribution provides coach Enzo Maresca with a welcome, if potentially challenging, selection decision ahead of the final match.
While Joao Pedro provided the cutting edge, the foundation for Chelsea`s control was firmly established in midfield. The partnership of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez was instrumental, effectively stifling Fluminense`s attacking endeavors before they could pose a significant threat. Their positional awareness and diligent pressing were key defensive assets. Furthermore, Fernandez demonstrated his creative capabilities, particularly with a precise pass that set up Joao Pedro`s crucial second goal, offering Chelsea valuable breathing room late in the game.
The match was not entirely without moments of tension and defensive scrambling. Chelsea required a goal-line clearance from Marc Cucurella at a critical juncture in the first half to maintain their lead. Shortly after, a potential penalty incident involving Trevoh Chalobah sparked concern. Chalobah was initially judged to have handled the ball within the area. However, a subsequent VAR review led to the decision being overturned. The interpretation of the handball rule differs slightly within the Club World Cup regulations compared to some domestic competitions, allowing Chalobah a reprieve due to his arm being deemed in a natural running position – a moment that surely prompted a collective sigh of relief from the Chelsea bench and supporters alike.
Navigating the tournament with tactical acumen and leveraging squad depth, Coach Maresca has guided Chelsea back to the Club World Cup final stage for the first time since their successful campaign in 2021, albeit against Palmeiras and in a significantly smaller format than this year`s expanded competition. This progression follows their earlier triumph in the Conference League this season, positioning them just 90 minutes away from adding another prestigious piece of silverware to their cabinet.
Awaiting Chelsea in the final on July 13th will be the winner of the other semifinal, contested between European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. This final represents more than just a chance for a trophy; it serves as a valuable gauge of Chelsea`s current standing against elite European opposition, particularly as they prepare for their return to the UEFA Champions League next season. Regardless of the final outcome, Chelsea`s performances throughout this tournament have provided encouraging signs ahead of the upcoming offseason.
