Chelsea fans, rejoice! The Blues are heading to the Club World Cup final after a solid 2-0 win over Fluminense in New Jersey — and guess who stole the show? None other than João Pedro, the Brazilian forward who scored both goals against his former club.
Let’s break down everything that went down at MetLife Stadium.
Quick Match Recap
- Final Score: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
- Goal Scorer: João Pedro (18’, 56’)
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
- Date: July 8, 2025
- Next Match: Chelsea will face the winner of Real Madrid vs PSG in the final
Chelsea in Control from the Start
It didn’t take long for Chelsea to show they meant business. Manager Enzo Maresca set his team up in a fluid 4-3-3 formation, and they hit the ground running. João Pedro — who came up through Fluminense’s youth system, mind you — opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a stunning strike from outside the box. Clean. Clinical. And probably a little bittersweet for his old club.
Fluminense had their moments. They tried to hit back with some slick passing and nearly won a penalty after Ignácio was brought down in the 34th minute. But after a tense VAR check, the ref ruled the foul happened just outside the box — no penalty. You could feel the energy dip for the Brazilian side after that.
João Pedro’s Icy Finish Seals It
Just when Fluminense thought they might claw their way back in the second half, João Pedro struck again. In the 56th minute, he picked up the ball, danced past a defender, and fired it into the roof of the net. Two goals. Two cold-blooded finishes. And a big message to any future opponents: Chelsea are here to win.
Pedro didn’t celebrate much — you could tell he still has love for Fluminense — but the job was done.
Match Stats Snapshot
| Stat | Fluminense | Chelsea |
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Shots (on target) | 12 (3) | 17 (5) |
| Fouls | 10 | 14 |
| Corners | 4 | 6 |
| Saves by Goalkeeper | 3 | 3 |
Chelsea controlled the tempo without overextending. Solid at the back, sharp in transition — it was a complete performance.
What They Said (Post-Match Vibes)
While post-match interviews were pretty guarded, João Pedro did have a short message on social media:
“Special night. Grateful for everything Fluminense gave me. But today, I’m Blue
Chelsea fans, of course, flooded the comments with “JOÃO PEDRO MASTERCLASS” and gifs of him dancing. As for Fluminense? The fans were gracious, but you could feel the heartbreak — especially seeing one of their own come back and end their run.
Chelsea Keeps Europe’s Dominance Alive
With this win, Chelsea keeps up Europe’s crazy streak in the Club World Cup. European teams have now won 17 of the last 21 editions. If they beat PSG or Real Madrid in the final on July 13, it’ll be yet another UEFA crown. No pressure, right?
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just another win for Chelsea — it was a statement. João Pedro’s breakout performance, the team’s composure, and the way they shut Fluminense down shows that the Blues are peaking at the right time.
Whether it’s Real Madrid or PSG waiting in the final, one thing is clear: Chelsea look ready for anyone.