Chelsea is the first finalist of the 2025 Club World Cup. Deciding the semifinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford was an extraordinary João Pedro, who scored a brace to bend Fluminense 2-0 and propel the Blues into the July 13 final. It was a well-deserved success for Enzo Maresca’s men, who now await the winner of Real Madrid-PSG to contend for the title.

The big star of the evening was undoubtedly the 2001 Brazilian class, who grew up right in the Fluminense nursery. His one-two, two technical pearls from a star player, broke the dream of the carioca club, the real surprise of this edition of the tournament.

The first ringing came in the 12th minute of the first half, when João Pedro retrieved the ball on the three-quarter line and with a right-footed volley sent the ball under the crossbar, signing the 1-0. Fluminense attempted an immediate reaction with Hercules, but found in its way first a save by Cucurella on the line and then a penalty canceled by VAR for a hand foul deemed unintentional. The Brazilians surrendered to the quality and intensity of the English, who dominated the game in the second half.

In the 56th minute, on a counter-attack João Pedro doubled: he dribbled through half the defense, ignored unmarked teammates and kicked precise under the crossbar. After the goal, he apologizes to his former fans as a sign of respect. Chelsea also came close to scoring the third with Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, while in the final a bad injury stopped Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, who left in pain.

The date for the final is set for Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. Italian time, again at MetLife Stadium.

Chelsea is the first finalist of the 2025 Club World Cup. Deciding the semifinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford was an extraordinary João Pedro, author of a brace that bent Fluminense 2-0 and propelled the Blues into the July 13 final. It was a well-deserved success for Enzo Maresca’s men, who now await the winner of Real Madrid-PSG to contest the title.

The big star of the evening was undoubtedly the 2001 Brazilian class, who grew up right in the Fluminense nursery. His one-two, two technical pearls of a champion, broke the dream of the carioca club, the real surprise of this edition of the tournament.

The first ringing came in the 12th minute of the first half, when João Pedro retrieved the ball on the three-quarter line and with a right-footed volley sent the ball under the crossbar, signing the 1-0. Fluminense attempted an immediate reaction with Hercules, but found in its way first a save by Cucurella on the line and then a penalty canceled by VAR for a hand foul deemed unintentional. The Brazilians surrendered to the quality and intensity of the English, who dominated the game in the second half.

In the 56th minute, on a counter-attack João Pedro doubled: he dribbled through half the defense, ignored unmarked teammates and kicked precise under the crossbar. After the goal, he apologizes to his former fans as a sign of respect. Chelsea also came close to scoring the third through Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, while in the final a bad injury stopped Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, who left in pain.

The date for the final is set for Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. Italian time, again at MetLife Stadium.