Chelsea booked their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup after a 2-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense on Tuesday, thanks to two goals from new signing Joao Pedro.
The 23-year-old striker, who joined Chelsea from Brighton last week in a deal worth around £60 million, made an immediate impact in his first start for the club. He scored in the 18th minute and added another just before the hour mark at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
Pedro, who began his professional career at Fluminense, chose not to celebrate either goal out of respect for his former club. His double ended the Copa Libertadores champions’ impressive run in the competition and dashed South America’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
Chelsea will now face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Sunday, as Europe continues its dominance in the new 32-team format of the Club World Cup.
Fluminense had a brief spell of pressure, nearly equalising through Hercules, but a goal-line clearance from Marc Cucurella kept Chelsea ahead. The Brazilian side also had a penalty overturned after a VAR review late in the first half.
Joao Pedro’s second goal came in the 56th minute after a quick counterattack led by Enzo Fernandez. The forward, who netted 10 times in the Premier League last season for Brighton, fired in off the crossbar to seal the win.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was without key players Liam Delap and Levi Colwill due to suspension but welcomed back Moises Caicedo in midfield.
The match, watched by over 70,000 fans, highlighted Chelsea’s growing form under Maresca and the promising start of Joao Pedro, who is already proving to be a key asset for the London club.
