João Pedro scored twice towards his boyhood team in his first begin for Chelsea, main the Blues over Fluminense 2-0 Tuesday (July 9, 2025) to guarantee an all-European Club World Cup last.
A 23-year-old who had been at Fluminense from about age 10 till leaving for Watford in 2020, João Pedro scored within the 18th and 56th minutes and refused to rejoice both aim in an indication of respect for his former membership. He joined Chelsea from Brighton on July 2.
Seeking its second world championship, Chelsea superior to Sunday’s title match towards the winner of Wednesday’s sport between European champion Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
European groups will win their twelfth straight Club World Cup title and seventeenth in 18 tries, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil’s Corinthians over Chelsea, which gained in 2021.
Fluminense was initially awarded a first-half penalty kick however it was taken away in a video evaluate.
Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo injured his left ankle in second-half stoppage time.
Ticket costs slashed
A crowd of 70,556 was 10-15% wanting capability at MetLife Stadium, the place it was 93 levels (34 Celsius) at kickoff with humidity that made it really feel like 104 (40). FIFA lower ticket costs from $473.90 to $13.40 final week.
Chelsea went forward after German Cano misplaced the ball to João Pedro, and he poked it to Pedro Neto, who dribbled down a flank and crossed. An tried clearance went to João Pedro, who curled a 20-yard shot contained in the far put up. João Pedro took two steps to begin to rejoice, then stopped and clasped his arms.
Chelsea doubled the lead after Facundo Bernal misplaced the ball simply exterior the Blues’ penalty space to Pedro Neto, who poked the ball to Cole Palmer. He beat three challenges and dished off to Enzo Fernández, who side-footed a cross to João Pedro. He lower round Ignácio and scored off the underside of the crossbar.
Marc Cucurella cleared Hércules’ shot off the road within the twenty seventh and French referee François Letexier awarded a penalty kick within the thirty fifth minute when René’s free kick struck the left arm of defender Trevoh Chalobah. Letexier reversed his resolution in a video evaluate, concluding Chalobah’s arm was in a pure place.
Letexier reversing his PK resolution on the advice of Colombian video assistant referee Nicolas Gallo.
Chelsea has earned $88,435,000 to $103,815,000 for reaching the ultimate, the quantity relying on a participation payment FIFA has not disclosed.
“When I was young, I didn’t have nothing, They gave everything to me.” — João Pedro on Fluminense.
“We depart with our heads held high.” — Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho.
