New Chelsea signing Joao Pedro scored a brace on his first start for the club as they defeated Fluminense 2-0 in East Rutherford on Tuesday to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final, Afrosport reports.
The 23-year-old Brazilian was recently acquired by the Blues in a £60 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion before jetting off the United States to join his new teammates ahead of their quarter-final tie against Palmeiras.
He has wasted no time in settling in as head coach Enzo Maresca included him in the starting XI against his boyhood club at MetLife Stadium.
Pedro scored the first goal against Fluminense in the 18th minute, curling a beautiful effort past goalkeeper Fabio and into the top corner.
Fluminense thought they had an opportunity to equalise when referee Francois Letexier awarded a penalty in the 27th minute for a Trevor Chalobah handball from a free kick. The call was, however, reversed following consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Chelsea remained in control of the game and added a second in the 56th minute when Pedro, who latched on to Enzo Fernandez’s pass, cut inside the box and rifled a strike in off the crossbar.
The former Watford forward was taken off on the hour mark for Senegal international Nicolas Jackson, who was returning from a two-game suspension for a red card he received in the defeat against Flamengo in the group stage.
A spectacular João Pedro brace secures #FIFACWC progression for @ChelseaFC 💫
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 8, 2025
Chelsea will get to face either Real Madrid or reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
