The Brazilian forward delivered a dream debut performance against his former side, guiding Chelsea into the FIFA Club World Cup final with an outstanding brace on Tuesday.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Chelsea FC secured their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final after a 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense in the semifinals at MetLife Stadium. New recruit Joao Pedro was the star of the afternoon, scoring both goals with emphatic finishes to propel the Blues into Sunday’s final, where they will face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite missing Liam Delap and Levi Colwill through suspension for yellow card accumulation, Chelsea overcame the setback and booked their spot in the title decider as they aim to become world champions once again.
Manager Enzo Maresca handed Joao Pedro his first start for the club, and the 23-year-old made the most of the opportunity, earning the Superior Player of the Match award after a brilliant display.
Pedro opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a curling strike from distance that found the top-right corner. He then doubled Chelsea’s advantage in the 56th minute, smashing the ball off the underside of the crossbar after a precise assist from Enzo Fernandez.
Fluminense created several chances of their own but failed to convert. Their best moment came in the 26th minute when Hercules beat two defenders and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, only for Marc Cucurella to clear the effort off the line. Ten minutes later, the Brazilian side thought they had earned a penalty for a handball against Trevoh Chalobah, but after a VAR review, the referee reversed the decision, ruling that Chalobah’s hand was in a natural position.
From there, Chelsea controlled proceedings with a dominant performance and now advance to contest the first title in the new 32-team version of the Club World Cup – and their second CWC crown overall.
Here are Chelsea’s player ratings from MetLife Stadium.
Goalkeeper & Defense
Robert Sanchez (5/10):
Was rescued by Cucurella’s clearance midway through the first half after a costly mistake. Otherwise, he remained composed when called into action.
Marc Cucurella (7/10):
Excellent defensive showing from the Spaniard. His awareness and positioning were top-class, and he contributed well to the attack down the left flank.
Trevoh Chalobah (7/10):
Calm and consistent throughout. His development under Maresca since returning in January is clearly visible, delivering a confident and assured performance.
Tosin (8/10):
Impenetrable at the back and composed in possession. Also looked dangerous during set pieces, adding an extra dimension to Chelsea’s attack.
Malo Gusto (8/10):
Showed great energy on the overlap while remaining solid defensively. Possibly his best display of the tournament so far.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo (7/10):
Dominated his defensive midfield role, breaking up play efficiently and shielding the back line. A vital return to the starting XI after suspension.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10):
Controlled the tempo brilliantly in midfield, linking defence and attack seamlessly. Provided a superb assist for Pedro’s second goal.
Cole Palmer (8/10):
While not flashy, Palmer was pivotal in orchestrating Chelsea’s play in the final third. His vision and link-up play were crucial to the team’s fluidity.
Attack
Christopher Nkunku (6/10):
Had a quiet game offensively, but his work rate and defensive contribution were invaluable. Linked well with Gusto and Palmer throughout.
Joao Pedro (9/10):
An unforgettable debut for the Brazilian forward. Scored two superb goals and led the line with confidence, proving exactly why Chelsea brought him in.
Neto (7/10):
Dynamic and fearless on the wing, constantly driving forward and troubling defenders in one-on-one situations. One of Chelsea’s most direct threats on the day.
Substitutes & Manager
Nicolas Jackson (6/10):
Returned from suspension with an energetic cameo, showing flashes of creativity and strong movement after replacing Pedro.
Noni Madueke (6/10):
Added attacking intent after coming on with 22 minutes to play but didn’t manage to leave a major mark on the match.
Reece James (6/10):
Made his comeback from injury late on, providing a steady presence and much-needed leadership as the game wound down.
Andrey Santos (N/A):
Came on in the 86th minute with little time to influence proceedings.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (N/A):
Introduced in stoppage time to help see out the result.
Enzo Maresca (9/10):
His gamble to start Joao Pedro paid off handsomely. Chelsea’s structure and tactical execution were spot on, and his attacking quartet looked sharp from the first whistle.
