By Kwame Bediako
Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Fluminense to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but the win was far from straightforward, with crucial moments from defender Marc Cucurella and a dramatic VAR intervention playing a pivotal role. While Joao Pedro grabbed the headlines with two stunning goals on his full debut for the Blues, it was Cucurella’s goal-line clearance shortly after the opener that kept Chelsea in control and preserved their lead at MetLife Stadium.
The match featured a tense moment when Fluminense’s Hercules appeared to score, only for Cucurella to clear the ball off the line in a vital defensive effort. This intervention prevented the Brazilian side from equalizing and shifted momentum firmly back to Chelsea. Shortly afterward, a penalty was initially awarded to Fluminense for a handball by Trevoh Chalobah, but referee Francois Letexier overturned the decision following a VAR review, much to the relief of the Blues and their supporters.
Joao Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton just last week, was the star of the show with two exquisite goals. The Brazilian’s first was a curling strike in the 18th minute, followed by a powerful finish just before the hour mark. Despite scoring against his boyhood club, Pedro honored his vow not to celebrate, showing respect for Fluminense. His brace marks him as the first Brazilian to score for Chelsea in an official match since Thiago Silva last season, adding a special significance to his performance.
Chelsea dominated the match statistically, registering 17 shots with an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.6, compared to Fluminense’s 13 shots and 0.92 xG. The Blues controlled the game’s rhythm, with Malo Gusto and Nicolas Jackson also creating chances, although Jackson missed a key opportunity by hitting the near post instead of passing to the unmarked Cole Palmer. Despite these missed chances, Chelsea managed the game well to secure a comfortable victory.
The win sets up a blockbuster final against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain, promising a thrilling conclusion to the Club World Cup. However, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca will be monitoring the fitness of Moises Caicedo, who sustained an ankle injury late in the match. As Chelsea prepare for the final, the combination of defensive resilience and Joao Pedro’s dazzling attacking display will be key factors in their quest for global glory.
