Home SPORTS Chelsea Reach Club World Cup Final with 2-0 Win Over Fluminense

Chelsea Reach Club World Cup Final with 2-0 Win Over Fluminense

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Chelsea secured a spot in the Club World Cup final with a 2-0 win over Fluminense, thanks to Joao Pedro's brilliant performance. Get the latest updates on the match.


Chelsea secured a spot in the Club World Cup final with a 2-0 win over Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium, thanks to heroics from Joao Pedro. Despite being on an 11-match unbeaten run, Fluminense put up a strong fight against the Premier League side, thwarting Chelsea's early chances through Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández with solid defensive work.


The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when Chelsea took the lead. Pedro Neto's cross from the left was cleared to Joao Pedro just outside the penalty area, and the former Fluminense player scored his first Blues goal, curling a beautiful shot around Fábio into the net.




Chelsea pushed for a second goal, with Malo Gusto hitting the woodwork with a header. However, Fluminense created a promising opportunity when Hércules beat Robert Sánchez with a nutmeg and got a shot away, only for Marc Cucurella to make a crucial clearance off the line.


Chelsea's pressure almost paid off again when a free-kick struck Trevor Chalobah's arm, prompting a penalty appeal. However, referee François Letexier consulted VAR and reversed his initial decision, ruling Chalobah's arm position natural and allowing play to continue. Neto and Christopher Nkunku both had opportunities to double Chelsea's lead late in the half, but they couldn't capitalize before the break.


Chelsea persisted in their pursuit of a second goal after halftime, with Moisés Caicedo and Marc Cucurella testing Fluminense's goalkeeper with long-range shots. Meanwhile, Renato Gaúcho's side remained a threat on the counter, with substitute Everaldo forcing Robert Sánchez into his first save of the second half.


Chelsea sealed the win 10 minutes into the second half with a swift counter-attack. Cole Palmer shielded the ball in his own half before passing to Enzo Fernández, who advanced the play to João Pedro. The Brazilian-born midfielder cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that flew in off the crossbar.


Fluminense had previously found goals in the final 20 minutes, possibly encouraging Lima to attempt a long-range shot in the 71st minute. However, Chelsea's substitutes, including Nicolas Jackson, had opportunities to seal the win but couldn't capitalize. As the game wore on, Fluminense struggled to create clear chances for Fábio, while Robert Sánchez in the Chelsea goal remained largely untested.


Fluminense's loss marks the second time in three years that a Brazilian team has been eliminated from the Club World Cup by an English side. Meanwhile, Chelsea advances to the final, where they'll compete against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain for their second global title.





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