Chelsea advanced to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States on Tuesday. The Londoners won 2-0 against Fluminense. Both goals were scored by the new signing João Pedro, who hurt his old love.
Chelsea was the dominant side from the start at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. That resulted in a lead after eighteen minutes. Pedro received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shot brilliantly into the far corner.
That made him immediately worth his weight in gold for Chelsea. The 23-year-old Brazilian was presented six days ago as a new player for the London club, who took him over from Brighton & Hove Albion. This semi-final was his second game for ‘The Blues’.
Ten minutes before half-time, Fluminense thought they would get a penalty. The referee pointed to the spot after a handball by Trevoh Chalobah, but after intervention from the VAR, the penalty was cancelled.
In the second half, Chelsea doubled the lead. Pedro scored beautifully again. The attacker cut inside his man and rammed the ball in under the crossbar: 2-0. Just like with his first goal, he barely celebrated. He went through the youth academy at Fluminense and started his professional career there.
With the victory, Chelsea qualified for Sunday’s final. Trainer Enzo Maresca’s team will face Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in it. The two European top clubs will meet on Wednesday in the other semi-final.