Chelsea stormed into the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final with a 2-0 victory over Fluminense at MetLife Stadium, thanks to a debut double from Joao Pedro.
The 24-year-old Brazilian, facing his boyhood club, struck in the 18th minute with a curling effort and sealed the win with a stunning 56th-minute shot off the crossbar. The $81.5m signing from Brighton, who left Fluminense for Watford in 2020, showed respect by muting his celebrations.
Chelsea’s defense held firm despite a VAR-overturned penalty call, with Fluminense’s best chance cleared off the line by Marc Cucurella. Former Chelsea star Thiago Silva, now 40, couldn’t stop his old club’s march to the final.
Despite sweltering 34°C heat in New Jersey, 70,556 fans turned out, aided by FIFA’s ticket price slash from $473.90 to $13.40. Chelsea, eyeing their second Club World Cup title after 2021, will face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the final. The Blues have already secured $88.4m to $103.8m in prize money.