Chelsea downs Fluminense in Club World Cup semifinal: Goals, highlights, score

Chelsea has advanced to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, with newcomer João Pedro striking twice in a 2-0 win over Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
While upsets have characterized most of the Club World Cup, Fluminense's exit means that Sunday's final will be between two European giants. Chelsea will await the winner of the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the other semifinal, with the tournament final coming on Sunday.
From the start Tuesday, Chelsea looked assured, using possession to force Fluminense into long spells of defending. João Pedro — who only formally joined Chelsea on July 2, cutting a vacation short to join the team in the U.S. — turned that into a tangible result in the 18th minute with a tremendous, curling shot. The Brazilian forward, who came up through Fluminense's academy system before moving to England in 2020, added a second with a powerful 56th-minute shot.
Fluminense had their moments, with Chelsea's Marc Cucurella clearing a bid for an equalizer off the goal line, and referee François Letexier overturned a penalty kick call later in the first half with the help of VAR. However, once Chelsea gained a 2-0 lead, the Blues' path to the Club World Cup final seemed locked in.
Here's how the Club World Cup semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense played out, including highlights of the game's big moments:
Chelsea vs. Fluminense Club World Cup highlights
Full time: Chelsea 2, Fluminense 0
That's it! Chelsea has secured a place in the Club World Cup final, downing Fluminense 2-0 on two impressive goals from newcomer João Pedro. Ultimately, that's a solid representation of the match, with Fluminense's best chance coming via the very brief moment in which they thought they'd won a penalty kick.
Once VAR overturned that call, the Brazilian side just didn't have enough top-class talent to truly worry Chelsea, who managed the tempo with a lead and kept their emotions in check.
Chelsea will take on either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid in Sunday's final, which will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The other semifinal is set for Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET at this very same venue.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Everaldo scissor-kick sails high
Everaldo may not have had time to spark a comeback, but the striker tried to send Fluminense's vocal support home with a great memory, soaring high to attempt a scissor-kick with what might be the last touch of the match. Sadly, that sailed high, and we're probably seconds from full time.
Moises Caicedo, meanwhile, has left the match again, so Chelsea will finish with 10.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Caicedo down injured
Three minutes into stoppage time, and Moises Caicedo is down with what looks like a pretty painful ankle injury.
On replay, the Ecuador midfielder tried to stop and change direction, only for this left ankle to get stuck in the playing surface and hyper-extend.
He's very slowly limping off at the moment. This will probably extend the given six minutes of stoppage time.
Chelsea substitutions
Andrey Santos and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are Enzo Maresca's final changes, barring a crazy late comeback from Fluminense.
The subs enter in the 86th minute, replacing Christopher Nkunku and Enzo Fernández.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Cooling break in 75th minute
While the DAZN feed shows us shots of Alex Del Piero, Franck Ribery, and other retired greats in the shade of the luxury boxes, Chelsea and Fluminense are in a cooling break.
This is critical for Fluminense, who realistically need to get a goal in the next five minutes or so to set up a grandstand finish.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Soteldo booked
Yeferson Soteldo's first action of note is to reach out and swat at Marc Cucurella, catching the Chelsea defender in the face.
Letexier gives the Venezuelan attacker a yellow card, and Soteldo is a bit lucky there's not more discipline coming. By the book, hands to the face should be a straight red, and he knew exactly what he was doing.
Even more substitutions for Fluminense
Facundo Bernal and Hércules are the latest players to step off the pitch, with Lima and Agustín Canobbio getting 20 minutes or so to spark a dramatic late comeback.
Fluminense has now used all five of their substitutions in regulation, so it's now or never for the Brazilian side.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Substitutions from both teams
Fluminense has used their third substitution and second window, bringing in Yeferson Soteldo for Nonato in the 66th minute.
Soteldo had a brief, ineffective stint in MLS with Toronto FC, but has been more effective in high-level CONMEBOL play.
Two minutes later, Enzo Maresca brings in two more subs: Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto are done, with Reece James and Noni Madueke entering.
Chelsea substitution: João Pedro departs
João Pedro's day is done, with Nicolas Jackson coming off the bench to replace him in the 60th minute.
The Brazilian forward did eventually recover from being stepped on by Keno, but now walks off to applause at MetLife Stadium.
Goal Chelsea! João Pedro again!
And just like that, it's 2-0 Chelsea. Letexier did really well to give Chelsea advantage rather than calling a foul at midfield, and João Pedro has plenty of space to run in, cut past Fluminense's Ignácio, and thunder a shot off the crossbar and in.
João Pedro was only signed days ago, and was on vacation in Brazil last week, but he's now looking like a Chelsea cult hero.
Before we can even get this update posted, he's also drawn a yellow card on Keno, who chopped the 23-year-old down.
Fluminense substitutions
Fluminense turns to the bench, bringing Everaldo and Keno on for Germán Cano and Thiago Santos in the 54th minute.
We're probably looking at a formation change here, and Everaldo already has a shot on goal in the first 45 seconds of his day at work. Robert Sánchez makes the save comfortably, but Everaldo already sent a message to Trevoh Chalobah, muscling the Chelsea defender out of the way.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Second half kicks off!
Fluminense has kicked off at MetLife Stadium, with some cloud cover likely welcome for all parties.
No substitutions for either team that we can tell.
Club World Cup: Second half starting momentarily
Both teams are back on the field, with Fluminense captain Thiago Silva still appearing to be engaged in a chat with Letexier over the decision to not award the penalty kick. It's civil, but maybe also an attempt to get a 50/50 call later to go Fluminense's way.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense halftime stats
- Shots: Chelsea 7, Fluminense 3
- Shots on goal: Chelsea 3, Fluminense 1
- Possession: Chelsea 55%, Fluminense 45%
- Fouls: Chelsea 7, Fluminense 4
Halftime: Chelsea 1, Fluminense 0
It hasn't been a free-flowing half necessarily, but this has been an intriguing half at MetLife Stadium. João Pedro's goal is the difference, but Fluminense is hardly being run off the field. The Brazilian side has steadily grown into the game, with a penalty kick call in their favor being overturned by VAR and several other dangerous moments.
That said, Chelsea has been very threatening on the counter-attack even as Fluminense starts to take more risks going forward.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Call seems to have sparked Fluminense
The defense-first version of Fluminense has gone on the shelf here in the final few minutes of the first half, with the Brazilians putting Chelsea on the back foot.
However, it has only resulted in danger rather than true chances, and a stoppage-time turnover at midfield gave Pedro Neto the most threatening opening in these final minutes. However, the counter for Chelsea was foiled by a familiar face: Thiago Silva, who spent four seasons with the Blues before moving back to his native Brazil last year.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: VAR calls penalty back
Letexier took about 30 seconds to examine the play, and his decision is to reverse the call. No penalty kick for Fluminense.
Fluminense's bench can't believe it, but we continue on in the 38th minute with Chelsea ahead.
Penalty! Fluminense gets golden chance
Referee François Letexier has pointed to the spot after a cross into the box struck Trevoh Chalobah's left hand.
Replays show the contact is clear, but we're in a VAR check over whether this call should stand.
Fluminense shot cleared off the line by Chelsea
We just saw Fluminense's first serious attack of the entire game, and the Brazilian club was inches from equalizing.
In the end, Marc Cucurella slid in to hack the ball from essentially on the goal line, with referee François Letexier not signaling for a goal. Fluminense had profited from an awkward bounce to set the chance up, with Hércules beating goalkeeper Robert Sánchez only for Cucurella to just barely clear the chance.
Goal Chelsea! Incredible strike for João Pedro
Chelsea has the breakthrough in the 18th minute, and it took a spectacular strike from João Pedro — a product of Fluminense's academy system! — to do it.
Pedro Neto drove at Fluminense's back line to spark the attack, but his cross didn't find a target. However, Fluminense's clearance was right at João Pedro, a new signing who likely only got the start due to Liam Delap's suspension for yellow card accumulation.
João Pedro made the choice from Enzo Maresca look like a bit of genius though, curling home a 24-yard shot that will surely end up on the tournament highlight reel.
Chelsea hoarding possession early vs. Fluminense
There isn't much in the way of actual chances yet, but the dynamic of this game is clear: Chelsea is going to keep plenty of possession, while Fluminense's supposed 3-5-2 formation has in reality played as a very deep 5-4-1. Fluminense is packing the box with defenders, dropping off and trying to preserve their legs.
Club World Cup: Chelsea vs. Fluminense kicks off!
We're off and running, with Chelsea in white and Fluminense in its familiar mix of maroon, green, and white.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Fluminense: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: TNT/truTV
- Live stream: DAZN
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Teams take the pitch
We're through the laborious introduction process FIFA has adopted for the Club World Cup, with all 22 starters being shouted out. Once stadium operations removes the giant banners on the field, this game will be kicking off.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense: Heat could impact game
A summer heat wave has hit the East Coast, and that figures to make this Club World Cup semifinal a seriously draining experience.
Per Yahoo Sports reporting from MetLife Stadium, it's currently 94 degrees and "feels even hotter." The sun is blazing as well, with heavy thunderstorms a serious threat if this game goes to extra time.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region running until 8 p.m. ET. That might favor Fluminense, given the Brazilian side's more extensive experience playing in this kind of heat.
Club World Cup: Fluminense starting lineup
Club World Cup: Chelsea starting lineup
What time is Chelsea vs. Fluminense?
Tuesday's Club World Cup semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.
Chelsea vs. Fluminense odds
To win (regular time):
- Chelsea -150
- Fluminense +450
- Draw +270
To advance:
- Chelsea -325
- Fluminense +240
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca sounds off on Club World Cup
Chelsea's Enzo Maresca remains one of the Club World Cup's harshest critics, despite his team reaching the semi-finals, and continued a stream of complaints about everything from the weather to the scheduling ahead of Tuesday's clash with Fluminense.
The Italian has repeatedly complained about the heat, the calendar and the toll on his players' fitness at the tournament, while also criticising FIFA for the weather delay that interrupted his team's round-of-16 clash against Benfica for nearly two hours. Ahead of the semi-final against Fluminense, the Chelsea boss refused to accept that his Premier League side were favourites, instead arguing that the tournament calendar unfairly benefited South American teams.
Maresca said the South American sides had arrived with fresh legs in midseason while the Europeans were exhausted at the end of a long campaign.
"It is not that we don't see this tournament as important, it's that teams have arrived in two completely different situations and realities. How many games have the Brazilian team played in their current season? We have played 63 games," Maresca told a press conference.
– Reuters
Chelsea boss praises Brazilian clubs at Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised Brazilian football quality ahead of facing his third Brazilian opponents, after Chelsea lost 3-1 to Flamengo in the group stage and beat Palmeiras 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
"The quality from Brazilian players is probably the top, is the best quality," he said, while again highlighting the conditioning gap between fresh South American sides and exhausted Europeans.
"There are two things that for me are very clear in the two games that we face (against) Brazilian teams. One is the quality but at the same time it is very clear the energy that they have, for different reasons, and we don't. Top quality and also defensively, they were very good. So it will be a tough game."
– Reuters