Joao Pedro Scores Twice to Send Chelsea into Club World Cup Final

João Pedro made a striking debut for Chelsea by scoring two goals in the Club World Cup semifinal against his boyhood club Fluminense, securing a 2-0 victory and a place in the final against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain. Having recently transferred from Brighton for a reported £60 million, Pedro showcased his sharpness and skill despite just returning from the off-season, earning praise from Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. Pedro notably chose not to celebrate his goals out of respect for Fluminense, the club that developed him during his youth career. Chelsea’s win comes amid a successful season, including a Europa Conference League title and a fourth-place Premier League finish, signaling a resurgence for the club. The victory also guarantees Chelsea a substantial financial reward, with a prize of around £80 million and a chance to win over £90 million in the final. The semi-final was played under challenging conditions with high heat and humidity, but Chelsea managed to control the game against Fluminense’s defensive setup.