Joao Pedro’s brace led Chelsea to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final, breaking the hearts of his boyhood idols at MetLife Stadium.
The Blues’ newest signing, who came via the Fluminense junior system, destroyed the Brazilians’ dreams with excellent goals in both halves, setting up an all-European final against either Real Madrid C. F. or Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea was also a worthy victor, albeit there was nothing between the teams until Joao Pedro provided his first moment of brilliance. That happened after the former Brighton striker and Pedro Neto seized possession near midway and burst forward with lightning pace.
Thiago Silva believed he had cut off the latter’s cross, but his clearing landed directly into Joao Pedro’s feet at the angle of the box. From there, the former Blues defender could only watch in horror as his fellow countryman scored one of the tournament’s goals with a curling shot that soared away from the helpless Fabio and into the far corner.
After making his Club World Cup debut against Palmeiras on Saturday, the striker was given his first start in the last-four encounter against his boyhood club, Fluminense, and he made an immediate impact with two magnificent goals on either side of halftime.
With 18 minutes gone, the Brazilian received a half-cleared ball in the penalty area, took one touch to calm himself, and sent a magnificent drive past 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio into the far corner to open the score.
His second goal was as visually appealing, as he sprinted onto Enzo Fernandez’s through ball around the halfway line, darted into the box, and smashed a right-footed drive into the net via the crossbar 11 minutes later.
