Chelsea Edge Past Palmeiras 2-1 To Enter Club World Cup Semifinal

Last Updated:July 05, 2025, 11:01 IST

Chelsea are now favoured to reach the final, facing Fluminense in the semifinal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Cole Palmer (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Palmeiras. (AP Photo)

Chelsea advanced to the Club World Cup semifinals on Friday after a late own-goal by Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton secured their 2-1 victory in the quarter-final. The Premier League side triumphed over the Brazilian team in a match highlighted by a stunning moment from young star Estevao Willian. The teenage Brazilian forward, who is set to join Chelsea after the tournament, made an impression on his future employers by scoring a brilliant goal in the 53rd minute to equalise Cole Palmer’s opener in Philadelphia.

However, an 83rd-minute deflected cross from Malo Gusto resulted in an own-goal by Palmeiras’ keeper Weverton, propelling Chelsea into a semifinal clash against another Brazilian team, Fluminense.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca dismissed suggestions that his team had been fortunate. “In the first half we were in control of the game and could have scored more than one goal. They started the second half better than us and the dynamic of the game changed, but then in the last 25 minutes we were in control again and I think we deserved to win without being lucky."

The score mirrored Chelsea’s victory when the teams met in the Club World Cup final under its previous format in 2022. Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira acknowledged, “Overall Chelsea was better. They have better players and a better coach. They were lucky with the way they scored the second goal but it can happen in football and we need to accept it and move on."

Chelsea is now favoured to reach the final, facing Fluminense in the semifinal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday. Despite some scepticism about the tournament, the intensity on the pitch is increasing as it nears the climax, creating a big-game atmosphere in Philadelphia. Lincoln Financial Field was nearly sold out, with 65,782 fans in attendance despite the city being quieter due to the July 4 holiday and long weekend. The game played out against a backdrop of Independence Day fireworks over the nearby Delaware River, adding to the excitement.

Chelsea took the lead in the 16th minute with a moment of brilliance from England international Palmer. After finding space just outside the Palmeiras box, Palmer controlled a pass from Trevoh Chalobah, carried on into the area, and fired a low shot past Weverton. This was the perfect start for Chelsea, who previously lost to Flamengo in the same stadium during the group stage. Maresca added a Brazilian touch to the match by giving young midfielder Andrey Santos his first start.

With Moises Caicedo suspended, Santos filled the holding midfield role for Chelsea, while Pedro Neto played on the right wing, despite grieving the tragic death of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota on Thursday. Estevao, the 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy set to join Chelsea in a big-money transfer agreed over a year ago, played on the right wing for Palmeiras. He knew this could be his last game for the Sao Paulo side, and Chelsea should have been two ahead before the interval, but Christopher Nkunku missed the chance after being set up by Palmer.

Palmeiras equalised eight minutes into the second half, with Estevao inevitably scoring. Positioned inside the Chelsea box to the right, Estevao controlled a pass from Richard Rios, took a touch to get past Levi Colwill, steadied himself, and surprised goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with an early shot that went in off the bar. Chelsea responded by introducing new signing Joao Pedro for his debut, making him the 27th player used by Maresca during the tournament.

The Blues pushed for a second goal and, with extra time looking likely, they secured a scrappy winner with seven minutes remaining. Following a short corner, Enzo Fernandez found Malo Gusto, whose attempted low centre from the left side of the box deflected off Agustin Giay’s toe, surprising Weverton and resulting in the ball striking him on its way into the net.

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Location :

Philadelphia (USA)

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News sports » football Chelsea Edge Past Palmeiras 2-1 To Enter Club World Cup Semifinal