Chelsea secured their place in the Club World Cup final by defeating Fluminense 2-0. João Pedro was the key player, scoring both goals against his former team in his first start for the Blues, filling in for the suspended Liam Delap. These were his debut goals for Chelsea and made him the tenth different scorer for the team in the tournament, presenting coach Enzo Maresca with a positive selection headache ahead of the final.
Chelsea successfully resisted Fluminense`s pressure, significantly aided by the outstanding midfield performance of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. Their tactical awareness allowed the Blues to shut down Fluminense attacks early, while Fernández`s accurate passing facilitated rapid transitions forward. The Argentine midfielder also provided an assist for João Pedro`s crucial second goal, giving Chelsea a comfortable lead.
The end of the first half saw some anxious moments. Marc Cucurella cleared a chance off the line, and Chelsea almost conceded a penalty for a handball by Trevoh Chalobah. However, following a VAR review, the penalty was disallowed, as Chalobah`s arms were deemed to be in a natural position under the specific Club World Cup handball interpretation, which differs from typical club football rules.
Granted this reprieve, Chelsea capitalized on the opportunity to seal the victory. Coach Maresca`s effective use of the squad`s depth has been evident throughout the tournament. This appearance marks Chelsea`s return to the final since their 2021 triumph (in a smaller format). Having already secured the Conference League title this season, the Blues are now just 90 minutes away from adding more silverware.
The final, scheduled for July 13, will see Chelsea face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. With the Blues set to participate in the Champions League next season, confronting one of Europe`s top teams will provide an excellent benchmark. Irrespective of the final outcome, their display in this tournament offers a source of pride before the offseason begins.
