13-07-2025
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea: Joao Pedro eliminates boyhood club with two goals in first start
Joao Pedro's first start for Chelsea was a memorable one, as the newly signed $75-million striker scored both goals and the Blues beat Fluminense, Pedro's boyhood club, 2-0 in the semifinals of the 2025 Club World Cup on Tuesday.
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Pedro was perhaps only in the starting lineup because Liam Delap, who also joined Chelsea this summer, was suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Palmeiras in the quarterfinals. The 23-year-old Brazilian international moved to Rio de Janeiro to join the Fluminense youth academy at the age of 10, before moving to England (Watford, Brighton and now Chelsea) shortly after his 18th birthday in 2019.
Enzo Maresca's side has now conceded just two goals in four games after they were beaten 3-1 by Flamengo in their second game of the group stage, beating ES Tunis, Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense to reach Sunday's final. The only concern is that midfielder Moises Caicedo limped off in the 93rd minute after his ankle twisted awkwardly while challenging for the ball. Maresca had already made all five subs, therefore Chelsea finished the game with just 10 men.
Chelsea will face either PSG or Real Madrid in the final back at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — also the site of both semifinals.
Player ratings - Fluminense vs Chelsea
Fluminense vs Chelsea live updates - by Andy Edwards
Fluminense vs Chelsea final score: 0-2
Goalscorers: Joao Pedro (18', 56')
GOAL! Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea: Joao Pedro cuts inside to double the lead (56')
56' JOíO PEDRO HAS DONE IT AGAIN! ⚽️⚽️
A brace in his first @ChelseaFC start, two absolute bangers. The Brazilian wonderkid is making serious noise. 💫🇧🇷
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLUCHE
Marc Cucurella rushes back to make a goal-line clearance (25')
26' Cucurella with a miracle save on the line! 😱
Fluminense came so close to leveling! 🥵
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLUCHE
GOAL! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea: Joao Pedro curls a beauty for his first goal, in first start, against boyhood club (18')
18' João Pedro, are you serious?! ⚽💥
First start, first goal, and it's against his old club! Chelsea 1-0
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #FLUCHE
Fluminense starting lineup
Fabio - Ignacio, Silva, Fuentes - Xavier, Hercules, Bernal, Rene - Nonato, Arias, Cano
Chelsea starting lineup
Sanchez - Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella - Caicedo, Fernandez - Neto, Palmer, Nkunku, Pedro
How to watch Fluminense vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (July 8)
Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV Channel/Streaming: Stream every game live on DAZN, for free
Brazilian giants Fluminense have been one of the stories of the competition so far, with veteran 40-year-old defender Thiago Silva rolling back the years to lead them to the final four. Fluminense will be the underdogs against Chelsea but they were very impressive against Inter Milan in the last 16 and got the job done against Al Hilal in the quarters. They've kept three shutouts in their five games so far at the Club World Cup and have looked particularly dangerous on the counter.
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Chelsea are used to facing Brazilian opponents by this point, as they lost to Flamengo in the group stage and beat Palmeiras in the quarterfinals. Enzo Maresca's young side are looking really good in attack and after adding Joao Pedro they are even more stacked. There are so many options for Maresca to choose from, especially going forward, but he's got the balance right in the knockout rounds so far and better finishing would have made life a lot more comfortable for themselves.
Fluminense team news, focus
Thiago Silva anchors the defense and keeps everything ticking over for his boyhood club Fluminense. It will be a special day for Silva, who played a key role in Chelsea's Champions League win which qualified them for this Club World Cup. Fluminense play a 3-5-2 system and look to get the ball wide, whip in crosses and are very good on the break.
Chelsea team news, focus
Moises Caicedo is back available after suspension which is a massive boost given his form and importance in the holding midfield role. Andrey Santos came in and did really well in midfield in the last game, but Caicedo will start. But in defense Levi Colwill is suspended at center back which is a blow. In attack Joao Pedro had a big impact after coming off the bench and he may start due to Liam Delap being out with a one game suspension. Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto will start and Nkunku and Madueke will scrap it out for the other attacking midfield spot.
Fluminense vs Chelsea prediction
This is going to be a fascinating tactical battle. Chelsea will have plenty of the ball, as they usually do, and Fluminense will be fine with that as they look to pick them off on the break. This has the feeling of an extra time game. Fluminense 1-2 Chelsea.
