Joao Pedro Shines Against Former Club as Chelsea Reach Club World Cup Final

Young Brazilian forward Joao Pedro continues to make headlines as he rises rapidly at Chelsea. After impressing as a substitute in his debut match, Pedro was rewarded with a spot in the starting eleven for the first time — and he didn’t disappoint. Facing his former club Fluminense in the semi-final of the Club World Cup, the 23-year-old delivered a stunning performance, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory for Chelsea. His brace not only highlighted his clinical finishing but also secured Chelsea’s place in the Club World Cup final for the third time in their history. The match was played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Chelsea dominated key moments of the game, though Fluminense were far from passive. The Brazilian side put up a competitive fight, but their attacks ultimately fell short in front of goal. It was a bittersweet night for Pedro, who left Fluminense in 2020 and showed his professionalism by not celebrating his first goal — a curling shot from outside the box in the 18th minute. His immediate apology gesture to the Fluminense supporters reflected his respect for his roots, even as he led the charge against them.

Concerns about low attendance had surrounded the Club World Cup semi-finals, particularly after disappointing turnouts in earlier matches. In response, FIFA made a bold decision to significantly reduce ticket prices — from over 57,000 Bangladeshi taka to just 1,500. This strategy appears to have worked well. According to a report by the Associated Press, about 85-90% of the seats in the 70,556-capacity stadium were filled, a marked improvement from previous games. The atmosphere matched the significance of the occasion, with Chelsea controlling the tempo and flow. They held 54 percent of possession and registered 17 total shots, five of which were on target. Fluminense, despite their efforts, only managed three shots on target out of 12. Pedro’s first goal came as a result of a defensive lapse by Fluminense, and the forward made the most of the opportunity. Fluminense responded with determination, almost finding an equalizer just eight minutes later. Hercules' powerful shot beat the goalkeeper, but Marc Cucurella was alert on the goal line to clear the danger. Just before halftime, drama unfolded when a Chelsea defender handled the ball inside the box. Fluminense appealed for a penalty, but VAR reviewed the incident and ruled it an unintentional handball.

The second half began with Chelsea looking more confident, and it didn’t take long for them to double their lead. In the 55th minute, Enzo Fernandez played a perfectly timed through ball to Joao Pedro. The young striker controlled it brilliantly, cut inside the box, and fired a shot that struck the crossbar before nestling into the net. This time, Pedro couldn’t hide his emotions and celebrated with both arms raised in joy. It was a goal that not only confirmed his talent but also dealt a heavy blow to his former team’s chances of a comeback. Fluminense pushed forward with intent in the final minutes, but Chelsea’s defense held firm. Their finishing lacked accuracy, and no further goals were scored. A worrying moment came for Chelsea when midfielder Moises Caicedo suffered an ankle injury in stoppage time. While his condition is yet to be fully assessed, it remains the only concern for the London side ahead of the final.

Chelsea now awaits the winner of the highly anticipated semi-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. The final will take place next Sunday night, and Chelsea will be aiming to lift their second Club World Cup trophy. With Joao Pedro in form and confidence running high, the Blues will believe they have what it takes to bring the title back to Stamford Bridge.