Joao Pedro had a perfect first game for Chelsea as he scored two beautiful goals to help the Blues beat Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday night at the MetLife Stadium in New York.
The 22-year-old Brazilian striker, who just joined Chelsea from Brighton, scored once in each half to send his new team into the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea will now face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final as they chase their second Club World Cup trophy — and their first in the new 32-team format.
Pedro was the star of the show and was named Player of the Match. He scored his first goal in the 18th minute with a lovely curling shot from outside the penalty area. His second goal came in the 56th minute after Enzo Fernandez passed the ball to him, and he blasted it in off the crossbar.
Fluminense almost scored in the 26th minute when Hercules went past two defenders and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but Marc Cucurella cleared the shot off the line.
Later in the match, Fluminense thought they had won a penalty for handball, but VAR overturned the decision after a review showed Trevoh Chalobah did not touch the ball with his hand.
Even without key players Liam Delap and Levi Colwill (both suspended), Chelsea played well and controlled most of the game.
Now, the Blues are just one win away from being crowned Club World Cup champions again.
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