Chelsea has successfully navigated the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal, securing a place in the final with a methodical 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium. The performance saw key players step up, most notably new forward Joao Pedro, who registered his first goals for the club on a significant stage.
Joao Pedro`s brace proved decisive. Starting in place of the suspended Liam Delap, the attacker, recently acquired from Brighton, demonstrated precisely why he was brought into the squad. His two finishes were critical in breaking down Fluminense`s resistance and providing Chelsea with the necessary advantage. Becoming the tenth different goalscorer for Chelsea in the tournament underscores the depth available to manager Enzo Maresca, presenting a welcome selection dilemma for the final.
Beyond the goals, Chelsea`s control in midfield was paramount. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez delivered excellent performances, showcasing astute positional awareness that allowed the Blues to stifle Fluminense`s attacking threats early. Fernandez, in particular, facilitated quick transitions with his incisive passing, directly contributing an assist for Joao Pedro`s crucial second goal, which provided essential breathing room for the English side.
The match was not without its moments of tension, particularly towards the end of the first half. Defender Marc Cucurella cleared a dangerous chance off the line, and moments later, Chelsea faced a potential setback when Trevoh Chalobah was initially penalized for a handball inside the box. However, following a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the decision was overturned. The interpretation of the handball rule within the Club World Cup format, reportedly differing slightly from some domestic competitions, deemed Chalobah`s arm position natural in the context of the play, offering the defender a significant reprieve. A touch of modern football theatre, perhaps, but one that ultimately favored Chelsea.
With this additional lifeline, Chelsea professionally closed out the game. Maresca`s management of the squad depth throughout the tournament appears effective, guiding his team to the Club World Cup final for the first time since their 2021 triumph against Palmeiras – a victory achieved in a notably smaller format than this year`s expanded tournament. Having already secured the Conference League title this season, Chelsea is now just 90 minutes away from adding another piece of silverware to their collection.
The final, scheduled for July 13th, will present a formidable challenge, pitting Chelsea against either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. For a Chelsea side set to return to the Champions League next season, facing one of Europe`s established elite clubs offers an invaluable test of their current capabilities and a benchmark for the coming campaign. Regardless of the final result, their performance in this tournament represents a commendable achievement before the focus shifts to the offseason.
