English giants Chelsea have roared into the FIFA Club World Cup final, courtesy of a sensational performance from their new Brazilian sensation, Joao Pedro.
The young forward netted two stunning goals on his full debut, proving decisive in a commanding 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium.
The win sees Enzo Maresca’s side advance to Sunday’s highly anticipated final, where they will face either European heavyweights Real Madrid or French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
For Chelsea fans in Kenya and across the globe, another piece of coveted silverware is now firmly within sight.
Chelsea displayed a mature and dominant performance from the whistle. Joao Pedro, the 23-year-old Brazilian, opened his account in the 18th minute with an unstoppable 20-yard strike that curled into the far corner.
His second, scored shortly after the interval, was equally emphatic – a powerful shot that rattled in off the crossbar after a brilliant solo run.
Despite a few moments of concern, including a disallowed penalty for Fluminense after a VAR review correctly overturned a handball decision against Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea remained firmly in control.
Defender Marc Cucurella also made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Fluminense an equaliser in the first half, showcasing the Blues’ defensive resilience.
Manager Enzo Maresca had made three changes to his lineup, with Tosin Adarabioyo stepping in for the suspended Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo replacing Andrey Santos, and Joao Pedro making his first start in place of the suspended Liam Delap.
These adjustments paid off handsomely, with the team gelling seamlessly.
The Blues’ ability to limit Fluminense’s attacking threat while creating numerous chances of their own underscored their quality.
With the final beckoning, Chelsea will be looking to add the Club World Cup trophy to their illustrious cabinet, cementing their status on the global stage.
