Chelsea's Brazilian forward #20 Joao Pedro celebrates scoring his team's second goal
Chelsea are the first team through to the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) after a 2-0 win at the MetLife Stadium over Fluminense, whose elimination ends South American participation in the tournament.
On an 11-match unbeaten run, Fluminense were not about to roll over against the Premier League side, whose early half-chances for Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fern1ndez were thwarted by a sturdy defence.
However, the Tricolor had no answer to Chelsea’s opener after 18 minutes – a Pedro Neto cross from the left was cleared to Jo3o Pedro just outside the penalty area, and on his first Blues start, the former Fluminense man curled a delightful shot around F1bio and into the net.
Enzo Maresca’s team were keen to press home the advantage and came close via a Malo Gusto header, only for Fluminense to carve out their best chance of the half when H9rcules burst into the area, nutmegging Robert S1nchez, only to be denied by a Cucurella clearance off the line.
Chelsea were living dangerously again when a free-kick into the box struck Trevor Chalobah on the arm, but having awarded a penalty, referee Fran7ois Letexier overturned his decision following a VAR review, deeming Chalobah’s arm to be in a natural position.
Neto and Christopher Nkunku had late chances, but Chelsea couldn’t add a second before HT.
Momentum
The search for the killer second goal continued after the break through long-range efforts from Mois9s Caicedo and Cucurella, while Renato GaFAcho’s side looked to be a threat on the break as substitute Everaldo forced the first save of the half from S1nchez.
Yet, it was the Brazilian side who got caught on the counter-attack 10 minutes in – Cole Palmer held off challenges inside his own half before Fern1ndez took over, spreading the ball forward to Jo3o Pedro, who cut into the box and rifled a strike in off the crossbar.
Half of Flu’s goals at this CWC had come in the final 20 minutes, which perhaps gave Lima licence to try his luck from range in the 71st minute after they had survived further opportunities for Nkunku and Gusto.
Substitute Nicolas Jackson missed a pair of chances to seal the victory, though Fluz3o failed to create enough to test S1nchez in the latter stages.
Match stats
It’s a second CWC elimination to an English side in three years for the Brazilians, while Chelsea will aim for their second global title against Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
_______________________________________________
Sponsored:
FIFA Club World Cup - Every Game Free, exclusively on DAZN.
Sign up here to start streaming.
_______________________________________________
[(Kyoto Sanga FC) Strength]: 1. Kyoto Sanga FC are at the top of the J1 League table, 3 points ahead of 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers. The title race is very intense. This home match against mid-table team Fagiano Okayama is a crucial battle to consolidate their lead, and their motivation is very high.2. Kyoto Sanga FC won 3-0 over FC Tokyo in the last league game on the road, securing a 3-game winni...
[(Yokohama FC) Strength]: 1. Yokohama FC currently rank 19th in the J1 League and are deeply mired in the relegation zone and under huge pressure to avoid relegation. In this home game against 14th-placed Tokyo Verdy, Yokohama FC are highly motivated. The team are eager to take all three points by leveraging the home field advantage.[(Yokohama FC) Weakness]: 1. Yokohama FC's forwards, Toma Murata ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Here we go!! Nick Woltemade to Newcastle Here we go!! Garnacho to Chelsea UCL League phase draw 25/26(English Football Clubs) Bayindir & Onana Man Utd vs Grimsby Town Man United's 25/26 season summed up so far: Real Madrid have been handed one of the TOUGHEST fixture lists in the 2025/26 UCL League Phase! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. T...
[(US Cremonese) Strength]: 1. US Cremonese pulled off a surprise victory over AC Milan in the last round of Serie A, which has significantly boosted their morale. Facing US Sassuolo Calcio, who suffered a defeat in their opening game, US Cremonese, playing at home, are expected to take control of the game and show strong determination.2. In-form US Cremonese kept unbeaten in the last 4 games among...
[(Red Star FC) Strength]: 1. Red Star FC have remained unbeaten in five of their last six matches, with good form.2. Red Star FC have scored a total of 10 goals in the last 5 matches, averaging 2 goals per game.3. Red Star FC won 2 of their last 3 games in AH.[(Red Star FC) Weakness]: 1. Red Star FC have conceded 7 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging nearly 2 goals per game, indicating a poor...
Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen Aim Sly Dig at Man United Ahead of Champions League DrawErik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen appeared to take a sly swipe at Manchester United ahead of the Champions League group stage draw.Bayer Leverkusen will face PSG, Man City, Villareal, Benfica, PSV, Olympiacos, Newcastle, and Copenhagen in their 2025-26 Champions League league phase campaign.The German club,...
The UEFA Champions League trophy is displayed ahead of the drawLiverpool and Manchester City will both come up against Real Madrid in this season's Champions League, while title-holders Paris Saint-Germain were handed a tough list of opponents in Thursday's draw, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich.Xabi Alonso's Real will play City at home and take on Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfiel...
Former Man United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked By BesiktasFormer Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked by Turkish giants Besiktas.The 54-year-old was dismissed just hours after Besiktas were knocked out of the Europa Conference League by Swiss side Lausanne.Besiktas lost 2-1 on aggregate to Lausanne in their Conference League qualification final round, meaning they ...
Burnley Agree Deal to Sign Defensive Midfielder Florentino Luis from BenficaBurnley have reportedly agreed a deal to sign defensive midfielder Florentino Luis from Benfica.According to Sky Sports, the Premier League new boys have agreed a deal in principle to sign the highly rated 26-year-old.It’s understood the deal will be a season long loan with an obligation to buy Luis for a fee believe...
Chelsea and Man United FINALLY Reach Agreement on Fee for Wantaway Winger Alejandro GarnachoChelsea and Manchester United have finally reached an agreement on a fee for Alejandro Garnacho after weeks of speculation surrounding his future.The two clubs have been in negotiations over a deal for the 21-year-old for weeks, with Garnacho pushing for a move to Stamford Bridge.According to Fabrizio Roman...
- 1 Lamine Yamal goes public with rapper girlfriend
- 2 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 3 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 4 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 5 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 6 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Beijing Guoan VS Wuhan Three Towns FC