Chelsea’s newest striker was the star of the show against his former club Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. The Brazilian striker scored both goals as Chelsea soared to the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Chelsea had a fantastic performance, dominating in all areas of the pitch and scoring two goals against a defensively solid Fluminense team.
The Blues created a string of chances in the opening exchanges but couldn’t do much with any of those until after the first quarter of an hour. In Chelsea’s penultimate game at the Club, it was new signing Jõao Pedro who opened the scoring against his boyhood club. 
The Fluminense defense cleared a cross poorly and the ball fell kindly to Jõao Pedro around 20 yards out. Thank you very much, the striker said as he curled an absolute beauty into the far top corner.
Fluminense had an opportunity to equalise moments later but for Cucurella’s remarkable defending. Hercules beat Robert Sanchez to the ball, poking it towards goal but Cucurella was there to clear the ball off the line.
A flurry of Fluminense pressure culminated with the referee awarding a penalty after the ball was flicked onto Cucurella’s arm. However after a VAR check, the penalty was overturned as the referee announced that his arm was in a natural position.
Chances and half chances came and went but the scoreline stayed, until Joao Pedro’s second goal of the game. The former Brighton man latched onto Enzo Fernandez’s through ball from near the halfway line, cut inside and hammered in a shot via the underside of the crossbar. It was a terrific finish and a perfect way to announce himself to the Chelsea starting eleven. Much like with his first goal, Pedro didn’t celebrate against his boyhood club. 
Both goals means Chelsea have secured a place in Sunday’s final against either PSG or Real Madrid.
Speaking to Dazn after the game, Joao Pedro said
“I think it was a dream. I don’t think it could have been better. Two goals. Now we need to think about the final. I am very happy to score two goals today.”
After the game, most of the Chelsea players and backroom staff went over to hug former teammate Thiago Silva.
Fun Stats
- Excluding own goals, Chelsea’s last nine goals in the Fifa Club World Cup have been scored by nine different players.
- Chelsea have won 13 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, losing only to Newcastle and Flamengo (both times finishing with 10 players).
- Only Bayern Munich (four) have scored more goals from outside the box in this year’s Fifa Club World Cup than Chelsea (three, tied with Manchester City).
- Chelsea have reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup for the third time. Only Real Madrid and Barcelona have been to more finals.
