Chelsea booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final with a dominant 2–0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense in the semifinals, thanks to a stunning brace by new signing João Pedro.
The Blues looked assured throughout the contest, producing their most convincing display of the tournament under manager Enzo Maresca.
The win puts the Premier League side just 90 minutes away from lifting their second piece of silverware this season.
João Pedro, making his first start for Chelsea since his summer move from Brighton, was the standout performer, scoring both goals in a clinical and dynamic display against the club he supported as a boy.
The 23-year-old opened the scoring with a spectacular effort in the first half, winning possession near the halfway line and finishing a move he started with a curling strike into the far corner.
He sealed the win in the second half with a thunderous shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net, capping off a rapid counter-attack.
“Pedro was outstanding. He showed maturity, power, and technique well beyond expectations,” said Maresca post-match.
Chelsea missed several chances to extend the lead, but were rarely troubled defensively, as Fluminense struggled to cope with the tempo and organisation of the English side.
The Blues now await the winner of the other semifinal between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with a must-watch final scheduled for Sunday.
Pedro’s emergence could not have come at a better time for Chelsea, who have been in search of a consistent goal-scoring threat. His early form has left fans hopeful for more magic as the club aims to clinch the world title.
