Joao Pedro Double Fires Chelsea Into Club World Cup Final After Beating Fluminense
Joao Pedro made his full Chelsea debut. Faced his boyhood club. Scored twice. Booked a spot in the final. Not a bad night out.
The 23-year-old Brazilian needed just 18 minutes to open his Chelsea account against Fluminense, curling in a beauty after Thiago Silva misread a Pedro Neto cross. Then, in the second half, he smashed one in off the bar to put the result beyond doubt. A debut double, £22 million more in prize money, and a ticket to Sunday’s final, that’s how you announce yourself.
From Brighton to Big Stage in a Week
Signed from Brighton just last week for £55 million, Pedro’s already doing what expensive signings are meant to: change games. His sharp finishing helped the Blues sink a spirited but limited Fluminense side 2-0 at a sun-drenched MetLife Stadium, with temperatures hovering around 35°C.
Not a bad return on investment especially when you’re still unpacking your bags in the dressing room.
Fluminense Had Their Moments
Credit where it’s due. Thiago Silva, now pushing 40, still looked like he could marshal a backline in his sleep. The former Chelsea man held things together for Fluminense, and without him, this could’ve easily been four or five.
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The Brazilians had their moments too. Cucurella cleared one off the line, Everaldo forced a late save, and they even had a penalty awarded but was then turned over by VAR after a handball from Trevoh Chalobah. Tough break, but the right call in the end.
Missed Chances and a Nervy Finish
Nkunku, Jackson, and Nkunku again all had chances to pad the lead, but wasteful finishing kept things interesting longer than it needed to be. At the other end, Chelsea’s defence held firm when called upon, even if Fluminense never truly looked like breaking through.
The only sour note? Moises Caicedo limped off with what looked like an ankle issue in stoppage time. Not ideal days before a final, and Chelsea will be sweating on his fitness.
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Up Next: Madrid or PSG
With the job done, Chelsea now await the winner of Real Madrid vs PSG in Sunday’s final, same stadium, same heat, bigger stakes. Either way, it’s a blockbuster.
Joao Pedro might be new around here, but if he’s already delivering goals on nights like this, Chelsea fans will be hoping he’s just getting started.
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