Fluminense vs Chelsea 0-2: FIFA Club World Cup semifinal – as it happened

Thanks for joining us for live coverage of the first FIFA Club World Cup semifinal.

Chelsea have booked their place in the final after beating Fluminense 2-0 in New Jersey.

Either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain will join them. They face each other on Wednesday in a mouthwatering match.

Al Jazeera Sport will have full coverage of that one, and you can take a look at our match preview here.

For now, from me Adam Hancock and my colleague Kevin Hand, goodbye.

Click here to read our full match report following the match in New Jersey.

The Chelsea boss has been speaking to DAZN on the MetLife touchline:

“We had a very good game. At this stage of the season, it’s not easy, but the way the players have dealt with it has been fantastic. We are very happy and proud as we can now play the final.”

On Joao Pedro’s performance: “We knew already how good he was, but today, he played a bit more deep and, we know how good he is to drop and link; he is very good technically.”

On having so many strikers to pick from: “It’s a good thing for me when you can decide like this. They are all good, so it’s a good feeling. We have a little bit of time off to rest and recover, then we will start to prepare for the final.”

On facing PSG or Real Madrid: “I like both teams, they play very good football. PSG won the Champions League this year, Real Madrid won last season, so we will face, for sure, a good team.”

Sunday will be the third time that Chelsea have contested the Club World Cup final.

Their first final appearance came in 2012 when they lost to Corinthians in Japan.

Nine years later, they finally got their hands on the trophy after beating another Brazilian side, Palmeiras, 2-1 after extra time. That game took place in Abu Dhabi.

Victory on Sunday would take them level with Bayern Munich and Corinthians as two-time winners of the Club World Cup.

Some reactions now from the Fluminense camp. Captain Thiago Silva has been speaking to DAZN:

“That was a very difficult game, but at the end of the day, we really tried and put our all into it.”

On whether Fluminense’s penalty should stand: “I thought it was a penalty. I don’t think it was the main reason we lost, but it could have changed the game.”

Chelsea are in Sunday’s final, but who will join them?

Wednesday’s second semifinal promises to be a thriller as Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium.

The winners will face the Blues in Sunday’s final in New Jersey. That game will kick off at 19:00 GMT.

1/2. ✅#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/Bqzu9pAdCJ

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 8, 2025

Joao Pedro had a brilliant full debut for Chelsea, scoring both goals in New Jersey. He has also been speaking to DAZN:

“I think it was a dream first start. I don’t think it could be better. Two goals, but now we need to think about the final.”

On scoring against his former side: “I am happy to score my first goal, but also I know this tournament is very important for them, so I can just say, ‘Sorry, but I have to be professional because I play for Chelsea’.”

On his fitness: “I try to improve every session, but it’s hard. The club help me, and now I need to rest and focus on the final.”

On life with his new teammates: “They made me dance in the dressing room! I don’t know if they make me dance again as I won man of the match – we will see. The group is very good; I feel comfortable here.”

Enzo Maresca has given his instant reaction to Chelsea reaching the final:

“It’s a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season. We made the top four, won the Conference League, and are now in the final here. We are so so happy.

“Now it’s finally the last game of the season – we can say that – and hopefully we can win.”

On Caicedo’s injury: “I told him that he has to do anything to be on the pitch on Sunday, so we will see.”

On facing PSG or Real Madrid in the final: “They are both top teams, one won the Champions League this season and the other last season, so they are top teams, but we are proud and happy to be there.”

9 – @ChelseaFC's last nine goals (excluding own goals) in the @FIFACWC have been scored by nine different players. Variety. pic.twitter.com/EXBtV96ocH

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 8, 2025

Joao Pedro was on holiday in Brazil when his move to Chelsea was finalised.

It was then straight to the US to take part in the Club World Cup, making his debut in the quarterfinals as a substitute.

He made his full debut today and was outstanding, scoring both of the goals to book Chelsea’s place in the final.

His first goal in particular was a real beauty as he curled a shot past Fabio from range.

It was an absolute beauty. 👌 https://t.co/y7dO754Rwx pic.twitter.com/z0Mel319Yc

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025

The Premier League side have ensured that Sunday’s final will be an all-European affair.

Chelsea were a class above their South American opponents, and fully deserve their place in the final.

Goals on either side of half-time from new signing Joao Pedro made the difference in New Jersey.

Fluminense had chances, with Hercules having a shot cleared off the line, but Chelsea never looked in trouble.

The London-based club will face the winners of tomorrow’s semifinal between PSG and Real Madrid.

See you in the final. 👋💙 pic.twitter.com/HaKWi0QAly

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025

That’s it!

Chelsea are in the final of the Club World Cup.

Full-time: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Lima makes some space for himself, but his shot also ends up among the Fluminense fans behind the goal.

90+10 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Everaldo shows great technique to pull off an overhead kick but his acrobatic effort flies over the bar.

Play has paused again as Caicedo limps off. It’s sensible for him to call it a day at this stage of the match.

90+8 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Caicedo is back on for Chelsea.

The referee will likely add a few more minutes on for that delay.

90+6 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Caicedo is back on his feet and able to put some weight on his ankle.

That will be a huge relief to Chelsea fans. Enzo Maresca has made all of his changes, so Caicedo can’t be replaced.

It looks like Chelsea will end with 10 men.

90+5 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Keno wins a header in the box, but he steers his effort wide under pressure from James.

There’s a worry for Chelsea here as Caicedo goes down in a lot of pain. It looks like he rolled his ankle in a bad way.

90+3 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Barring a minor miracle, Chelsea are six minutes away from the final.

90 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Santos is down after being clipped in a challenge.

The Chelsea sub was booed on by the Fluminense fans for his former role at Vasco da Gama.

89 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

Fluminense cause some panic in the Chelsea box, but the referee blows for a handball.

Maresca makes two more changes:

Off: Enzo Fernandez, Christopher Nkunku

On:  Andrey Santos, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

87 mins: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea