Chelsea Defeats Fluminense to Reach Club World Cup Final

Chelsea secured their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup final by defeating Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday. The English side will face the winner of the match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the final, which will take place at MetLife Stadium next Sunday.

João Pedro Shines on Debut

The standout performer was João Pedro, Chelsea’s £60 million ($81.5 million) signing from Brighton. The forward scored two superb goals, one in each half, sealing the victory for his team.

Bitter Note for Chelsea

However, the win came with a downside: Moises Caicedo, one of the best players on the pitch, suffered a worrying ankle injury in the closing minutes, casting doubt on his availability for the final.

Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea: João Pedro’s Goals Seal the Win, but Was There a Penalty for the Brazilians?

The match sparked debate over a potential unpenalized handball that could have given Fluminense a penalty and changed the course of the game.

Context: A Grueling Season for the Semifinalists

Since last August, the teams in the Club World Cup have endured an exhausting schedule:

Real Madrid & Fluminense: 66 matches

Chelsea & PSG: 63 matches

Maresca Praises "Fantastic" Season

Manager Enzo Maresca, in his first year at Chelsea, highlighted the team’s campaign:

💬 "We’re very happy. It’s been a fantastic season: top four in the Premier League, winning the Conference League, and now reaching the Club World Cup final."

Thiago Silva Receives Warm Tributes

Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, a former Chelsea player, was widely praised after the match. His former teammates greeted him warmly, and Trevoh Chalobah even swapped shirts with him—despite the sweltering heat in the stadium.

Ecuadorian Fans Rally Behind Caicedo

MetLife Stadium saw a strong presence of Ecuadorian fans, who came to support Moises Caicedo. The midfielder put in a stellar performance before his injury, leaving supporters hopeful for his recovery in time for the final.

Now, Chelsea awaits their opponent in the decisive match, while Fluminense bows out of the competition.