East Rutherford, NJ — João Pedro made an instant impact in Chelsea blue, firing a scintillating brace to lead the club to a 2-0 victory over Fluminense in a stirring Club World Cup semi-final, held under punishing 35°C heat at MetLife Stadium. Despite concerns over player welfare in such intense conditions, Chelsea fans turned out in force — a record 34,165 spectators — chanting “We have a home game in Basel” as they rallied behind the new signing.
Maresca's Tactical Masterclass Backed by Pedro’s Dynamism
Manager Enzo Maresca had stressed the need for more guile up front when Chelsea secured the signing of João Pedro from Fluminense last week. However, it was Pedro’s sheer physicality and instinct for goals that stole the spotlight. The versatile 23‑year‑old quickly stamped his authority on both ends of the pitch.
The combination of Pedro Neto sprinting down the left and Christopher Nkunku's drifting movement created the perfect opening in the 18th minute. Neto’s low cross was only half-cleared, and Pedro took his chance superbly, unleashing a swerving shot into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Fábio — a composed response to the scorching sun and stadium heat.
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Late in the half, Chelsea continued to probe, with Cole Palmer orchestrating most of their creative play, supported by Enzo Fernández and Nkunku. Though a VAR check over Trevoh Chalobah’s handball denied Fluminense a penalty, Chelsea were in control.
Second-Half Clinicality and Controversy Over Refereeing Decisions
The second half offered more pent-up drama. Fluminense, fresh off the bench, produced a scare when Everaldo forced a strong near-save from Robert Sánchez. But Chelsea’s counter‑attacks remained most potent, culminating in Pedro’s second. He chased down a through-ball from Fernández on the left before cutting inside and unleashing a stunning strike that rocketed in off the underside of the bar.
Despite late chances for Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s dominance was never in doubt. The statement victory secures their place in Sunday’s final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid and brings up to £97 million in prize money — a tidy return on their squad's heavy investment.
Brutal Conditions and Criticism for FIFA
While applauded for their mayhem under pressure, the FIFA scheduling drew criticism. Evening viewers across Europe got priority — at the expense of player welfare under intense midday sun. Maresca raised concerns:
“We are going to try to adapt,” he said, referencing the team’s efforts to cope amid brutal heat, humidity, and a mostly roofless stadium — a scenario most feared could hamper both performance and safety.
Looking Ahead: Final Showdown Looms
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| Marc Cucurella clears off the line in 35C heat. Photograph: Héctor Vivas/FIFA/Getty Images |
Chelsea now look ahead to Sunday’s final, where they will face a top-tier opponent — PSG or Real Madrid — in a contest that promises to be more tactically demanding. For Maresca though, the performance was undeniably promising:
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A dynamic, clinical display from a £60m man in João Pedro
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A visibly refreshed tactical shape with Neto, Nkunku, and Fernández
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And a squad resilience that kept them composed in punishing conditions
As Chelsea chase global glory, the success of Pedro’s early performances offers both optimism and intrigue: can this new front three maintain consistency? Can Maresca's side finally translate club spending into silverware?
Match Stats & Highlights:
- Score: Chelsea 2–0 Fluminense
- Goals: João Pedro (18', 55')
- Attendance: 34,165 – record for non-host group-stage match
- Conditions: Heat 35°C, high humidity, daylight kick-off
What’s Next: Chelsea await their opponent in Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium — a match that could define their global aspirations and validate their summer investment spree.
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Tags: João Pedro Chelsea, Club World Cup semi-final report, Chelsea vs Fluminense match, Chelsea PSG Real Madrid final, MetLife Stadium intense heat, Enzo Maresca tactics, VAR penalty final third issues, João Pedro brace debut, Chelsea prize money, FIFA scheduling criticism
