8 July 2025
Chelsea reached the Club World Cup final in the United States after defeating Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0 in a match held Tuesday evening at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Chelsea took the lead in the 18th minute through new signing Joao Pedro, who scored on his first start for the Blues with a stunning strike against Fluminense.
Joao Pedro continued his impressive form by doubling the English team's lead in the 56th minute, dribbling past a Fluminense defender and firing a rocket of a shot that hit the crossbar and into the net.
Pedro did not celebrate his two goals, simply raising his hands in appreciation of his boyhood Brazilian club.
Pedro progressed through the Fluminense youth ranks before being promoted to the first team and moving to Watford in the summer of 2020.
After three seasons, the Brazilian striker moved from Watford to Brighton, who then traded the club to Chelsea this summer for a whopping €63 million.
By qualifying for next Sunday's final, Chelsea and their Italian coach Enzo Maresca are looking to win a second title in 2025, following their 4-1 victory in the UEFA Conference League against Real Betis on May 28.
But Chelsea's task in the Club World Cup final will be more difficult, as they await the winner of Wednesday's match between Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions, and Real Madrid.
