Road to the Semi-Final
Fluminense’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. They stormed out of Group F undefeated, then eliminated Italy’s Inter Milan (2‑0) and Saudi Arabia’s Al‑Hilal (2‑1) in knockout rounds . Veteran defender Thiago Silva, at the helm, embodied old‑school leadership amid their underdog narrative. Chelsea, meanwhile, qualified from Group D and bested Benfica (4‑1) and Palmeiras (2‑1) en route to this match, showcasing their renewed ambitions under Enzo Maresca.
Under an oppressive heat of over 35°C and intense humidity, Chelsea took charge. New £60m signing João Pedro made a stunning full debut, curling an irrepressible shot into the top corner in the 18th minute. The breakthrough was thematic: the boyhood Fluminense academy graduate scoring against the club that shaped him, yet showing restraint by refusing to celebrate .
Fluminense threatened midway through the first half, nearly drawing level when a VAR-reviewed penalty was overturned and a goal-line clearance from Marc Cucurella denied them .
Just after the break, Pedro sealed the deal in the 56th minute, surging past defenders and rifling another precise finish – this time off the underside of the bar .
From that moment, Chelsea managed the game effectively. Fluminense pushed late but could not break down a resilient Blues defence .
Tactical Approach & Key Performers
Chelsea’s strategy: control the tempo with possession, exploit high-tempo breaks, and inject pace through Pedro, Palmer, and Neto .
Fluminense’s approach: deep defensive structure, intent on counterattacks through Arias and Hernández but lacked end-product .
Standout: João Pedro was arguably Man of the Match, rewarded with honors and inclined for future appearances .
What This Means
Chelsea’s win sends them to the Club World Cup final at the same venue on July 13, where they will clash with either Paris Saint‑Germain or Real Madrid . It’s a chance at adding another global trophy to a season that already yielded Conference League glory and a top‑four Premier League finish .
Fluminense exit the tournament with pride intact, earning over $60 million and confirming their elite status in global club football despite financial limits .
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