Club World Cup Semi-Final: Chelsea Takes on Underdog Fluminense

Chelsea faces Fluminense in the Club World Cup semi-finals, with the Brazilian side dubbed the “ugly duckling” due to their limited budget. Get the latest updates on the match.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca downplayed concerns about the hot and humid conditions for Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense. The Blues will miss Liam Delap and Levi Colwill, but Maresca seems unfazed by the challenging weather.

Chelsea's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense kicks off at 3:00 pm local time (21:00 CET) at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. The sweltering heat may affect the game's tempo, following a similar trend seen in Real Madrid's quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund at the same stadium, where the high temperatures slowed the pace of play.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the challenging conditions ahead, but emphasized the need to adapt. “I don't think it's just tomorrow's game. Like other teams we have already played in different conditions but the game is tomorrow at 3pm and so all we can do is adapt and try to win,” he said. With Moises Caicedo returning from suspension, Chelsea will look to overcome the absence of Liam Delap and Levi Colwill, who are both serving bans, as well as Romeo Lavia, who is currently unfit.

“The first two were very good with lots and lots of energy. Tomorrow no doubt it will be exactly the same,” said Maresca as his side prepare to take on the 2023 Copa Libertadores winners, captained by 40-year-old ex-Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.

“I think they have a very good and experienced coach. They have lots of good and experienced players and their style is quite clear.

“Any game at this stage of the tournament will be difficult.”

'Here to make history'

Fluminense are now flying the flag for South America and the rest of the world as they complete the semi-final line-up alongside Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain -- three of the last five UEFA Champions League winners.

Fluminense have impressed in the tournament, holding Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, defeating Inter Milan in the last 16, and overcoming Al Hilal in the quarterfinals. Coach Renato Portaluppi expressed his pride, saying, “It is a privilege to be coaching this team, and we are here to make history.”

Enzo Maresca and a reporter at Chelsea's press conference on Monday 😬 pic.twitter.com/Ru2iCqfxrW

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 7, 2025

“We need to believe. We are up against powerful opponents with a financial advantage but football is decided on the pitch so we need to keep that in mind.”

Coach Renato Portaluppi has dubbed Fluminense the "ugly duckling" of the tournament due to the significant budget disparity with their semi-final opponents. Despite this, Portaluppi believes his team can still give Chelsea a run for their money on their day, as they aim to reach the final of the expanded Club World Cup.

"We had to be really competent to get this far and since the beginning I have told the team this is a huge opportunity for us.

“We are facing teams who are superior to us and we know if we take our eyes off the ball we will be going home without the title.”

He added: “I said we were the ugly duckling in financial terms because that is the reality.

“Fluminense's finances do not make 10 per cent of those of the other clubs, but that doesn't mean we can't get to the final or even win the Club World Cup.”

Nicolas Jackson's suspension has been served, making him available for selection. Meanwhile, new signing Joao Pedro is vying for a starting spot in attack. Chelsea's upcoming match against Fluminense marks their third encounter with a Brazilian team in the competition, following a loss to Flamengo in the group stage and a win over Palmeiras in the quarterfinals.