‎Chelsea player ratings vs Fluminense: Joao Pedro's stunning brace sends blues to Club World Cup final

‎Chelsea advanced to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final after a commanding 2-0 victory over Fluminense on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium. The highlight of the afternoon came from new arrival Joao Pedro, who announced his debut in dramatic fashion by scoring twice against his former side. His first-half screamer and second-half clinical strike ensured the Blues' place in Sunday’s final, where they will face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.

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Joao Pedro scores twice on debut as Chelsea defeat Fluminense 2-0 at MetLife Stadium, advancing to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final.

‎Getty/GOAL

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‎Both Liam Delap and Levi Colwill were unavailable due to suspension from yellow card accumulation, yet the squad stepped up in their absence. Manager Enzo Maresca handed Joao Pedro his first start for the club, a move that paid dividends almost immediately. The 23-year-old Brazil international impressed throughout the contest and earned the Superior Player of the Match accolade for his dynamic performance.

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‎Joao Pedro’s opener came in the 18th minute, curling a powerful strike from outside the area into the top-right corner. His second arrived just after the hour mark, latching onto a clever assist from Enzo Fernandez and finishing emphatically via the underside of the crossbar. The striker's composure and movement were standout traits in a game where he seemed determined to make a statement.

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‎Fluminense created several promising opportunities but failed to convert any of them. Their clearest chance emerged in the 26th minute when Hercules surged forward, beat two defenders and rounded goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, only for Marc Cucurella to recover and make a vital goal-line clearance. A controversial moment followed ten minutes later as the Brazilian side was briefly awarded a penalty for a handball by Trevoh Chalobah. VAR intervened and, upon review, the referee deemed Chalobah’s arm position natural and rescinded the call.

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‎The London side grew increasingly dominant as the game progressed, showing their depth and tactical balance under Maresca. They now prepare for their first appearance in the revamped 32-team edition of the Club World Cup and aim to secure their second title in this global competition.

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‎Chelsea Player Ratings – MetLife Stadium, vs Fluminense

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‎Goalkeeper & Defense

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‎Robert Sanchez – 5/10

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‎Nearly cost Chelsea with a misstep that forced Cucurella into a goal-saving clearance. Otherwise handled his responsibilities with composure.

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‎Marc Cucurella – 7/10

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‎Superb defensively and instrumental with that critical clearance in the first half. Added width and energy on the left flank throughout.

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‎Trevoh Chalobah – 7/10

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‎Delivered a mature and composed display. Calm under pressure and solid in duels. Showed significant growth since his return to the starting lineup.

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‎Tosin – 8/10

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‎A calming presence at the back, precise in his distribution and aggressive in set-piece situations. His defensive awareness kept Fluminense at bay.

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‎Malo Gusto – 8/10

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‎Assertive in both attacking and defensive phases. Offered overlapping support and shut down his flank confidently. Arguably his standout showing so far.

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‎Midfield

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‎Moises Caicedo – 7/10

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‎Shielded the defense expertly, breaking up Fluminense’s buildup repeatedly. His positional discipline allowed Chelsea to maintain control in midfield.

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‎Enzo Fernandez – 8/10

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‎Orchestrated the tempo from deep, linking defense to attack seamlessly. His assist for Pedro's second goal showcased his vision and timing.

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‎Cole Palmer – 8/10

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‎Quietly effective in advanced positions. Operated as a connector and creative outlet. His technical execution in tight spaces gave Chelsea a consistent edge.

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‎Attack

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‎Christopher Nkunku – 6/10

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‎Struggled to leave a mark in front of goal, yet contributed heavily in defensive phases and combination play, particularly linking well with Gusto.

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‎Joao Pedro – 9/10

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‎Announced himself to the Chelsea faithful with two stunning finishes. Was a constant threat with his movement and decision-making. A dream debut.

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‎Neto – 7/10

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‎Lively throughout the match. Created space with his direct dribbling and consistently unsettled Fluminense’s defense in one-on-one situations.

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‎Substitutes & Manager

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‎Nicolas Jackson – 6/10

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‎Returned from suspension with a burst of energy. Provided vertical runs and looked sharp in limited minutes following his introduction for Pedro.

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‎Noni Madueke – 6/10

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‎Added flair and width late in the game but didn’t have much time to influence proceedings meaningfully.

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‎Reece James – 6/10

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‎Came off the bench following injury recovery. Helped steady the backline and offered leadership presence in the closing stages.

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‎Andrey Santos – N/A

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‎Introduced in the 86th minute. Not enough time to impact the match.

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‎Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A

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‎Brought on near the final whistle. Did not feature long enough to be rated.

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‎Enzo Maresca – 9/10

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‎The decision to start Joao Pedro was a masterstroke. Tactical setup was well-drilled, and his attacking unit delivered from the outset. Maresca’s blueprint continues to evolve with clarity and precision.