Soccer
Joao Pedro wonder goals send Chelsea to the final
Chelsea goals: Joao Pedro (18, 56)
Joao Pedro scored a brilliant brace to fire Chelsea to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final and break the hearts of his boyhood heroes at MetLife Stadium.
The Blues’ newest addition, who came through the Fluminense youth system, ended the Brazilians' hopes with outstanding goals in each half to set up an all-European decider against either Real Madrid C. F. or Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea were deserving winners, too, although there was little to separate the teams before Joao Pedro produced his first moment of magic. That came in 18 minutes, after the former Brighton striker and Pedro Neto snatched possession on halfway and broke forward at lightning speed.
Thiago Silva thought he had cut out the latter’s cross but his clearance landed straight at the feet of Joao Pedro at the angle of the box. From that moment, the former Blues defender could only look on in horror as his fellow countryman produced one of goals of the tournament with a curling shot that arched away from the helpless Fabio and into the far corner.
Initially, Flu responded positively to that stunning blow, and twice thought they had found a way back into the game as the opening half progressed. First, Hercules broke through, poked a shot past Robert Sanchez only to see Marc Cucurella race back to smash clear on the goal-line. Then, they were awarded a penalty for a handball from Trevoh Chalobah, only for the referee to conclude - after a VAR review - that the defender’s hand had been in a natural position.
The second half, though, belonged entirely to Chelsea and they all but sealed their place in the final as early as the 56th minute. That was when Joao Pedro produced a goal that matched, if not bettered, his superb earlier effort, cutting in past Ignacio and crashing a magnificent drive in off the underside of the bar, with Fabio rooted to the spot.
It was a goal worthy of a wild celebration, and yet - just as with his first - the Chelsea new boy adopted an apologetic stance, raising his hands to acknowledge the damage inflicted on his former employers.
In truth, the Blues should have added to their tally – first through a Christopher Nkunku effort cleared on its way to the bottom corner, then a wasteful shot into the side-netting from Nicolas Jackson when a pass to Cole Palmer looked the better option.
None of that will matter, however, to Enzo Maresca and his players, who are now just 90 minutes away from becoming world champions at MetLife on Sunday.
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
Quotes
"I think it was a dream. I don't think it could have been better. I am happy to score my first goals for Chelsea but also I know this tournament is very important for Fluminense. I can just say sorry but I have to be professional. I play for Chelsea and they pay me to score goals."
Joao Pedro
"It is a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season - top four in the Premier League, [winning the UEFA] Conference League and now in the final of this competition. We are so, so happy. We go game by game. Finally we have the last game of the season and hopefully we can win the tournament."
Enzo Maresca
"Without a doubt, we leave with our heads held high because of everything we've accomplished at this World Cup. We knew it would be a tough match against a highly skilled team, and the goals gave their team greater peace of mind in the match."
Renato Gaucho, Fluminense head coach
"This kid is special. I have a lot of affection for him. I faced him twice at Chelsea, while he was still at Watford, and he played two great games against us. I didn't expect him to have such an inspired afternoon. He scored two great goals. I can lift my head, wishing Joao Pedro good luck."
Thiago Silva on Joao Pedro
Stats
- Joao Pedro, with the 187th and 188th goals of this FIFA Club World Cup, became the first player to score against his former team.
- Chelsea inflicted a first defeat in 12 games upon Fluminense. Real Madrid are now the only side who can lift the trophy undefeated.
- The Blues have won 13 of their last 15 matches in all competitions.
- This was Fluminense's first loss in 12 matches.
