EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-JUNE 14-JULY 13, 2025)-Chelsea's Joao Pedro(Brazil)  scored two goals on his debut as a starter to defeat Fluminense (Brazil) 2-0, in a hot-temperature semifinal match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,
and in front of  70,556 fans at MetLife Stadium.

With the victory, the Blues and 2025 UEFA Conference League champions advance
to the final championship game to face the winner of the other semifinal match between Real Madrid(Spain ) & Paris Saint-Germain(France) on Sunday July 13, at MetLife Stadium.

Chelsea outperformed Fluminense in the game stats 54%-46% Possession, 17-12 shots at goal and 5-3, shots on target.

Both teams locked-up its backline for the first 15', until The Blues opened the score through striker Joao Pedro(Brazil) who was making his debut as a starter in the Chelsea's roster at 18' mark. 

In the first offensive counter-attack through the left-side field, forward Pedro Neto
sent the ball inside the 18', intercepted and cleared by defender Thiago Silva to Joao Pedro who from outside the penalty box curled a beautiful right-footed to the right-goal post out of the reach of goalkeeper Fabio, and ending in back of the net for 1-0, Chelsea F.C. over Fluminense.

Three-minute later, Neto once again through the left-side field centered a pass inside the penalty box finding defender Malo Gusto who headed to goal but it was saved ending in the hands of goalkeeper Fabio at 21' mark.

Fluminense answered back with a counter-attack of their own through the left-side field corner, midfielder Hercules passed the ball to forward German Cano back to Hercules inside the 18, and who kicked a rolling shot to goal bypassing goalkeeper Sanchez, and while it was heading to goal, defender Marc Cucurella in a sensational effort, cleared the ball on the goal-line avoiding the equalizer for the Brazilians for Chelsea 1-0, at the half.

Ten-minute into the second half, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent a long pass to the left-side field finding forward Joao Pedro, who on breakaway ran inside the penalty box, position himself and shot right-footed canon hitting the lower crossbar into back of the net for his second goal of the game at 56' and secure the 2-0, win for The Blues over Fluminense.

With the win, Chelsea F.C. advance to final championship game to face the winner between Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain FC on Sunday July 13, at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford NJ.

Article Written By Starlight Illustrated Staff & Photos By Marcello Cutti II