Joao Pedro’s Brace Puts Chelsea in the Finals

We are finally in the final four of the newly expanded version of the FIFA World Cup, as MetLife Stadium is the destination for these next two match days and the Championship Final. The lone South American side, as Brazil’s Fluminense takes on Chelsea from England’s Premier League, and the London side would become the first club to reach the last match by a final score of two goals to nil.

All the goals came from Joao Pedro as he showed why he is one of Chelsea’s most dangerous players for the blue side of London. In the 18th minute, Chelsea was attacking down the near side along the touchline. Pedro Neto had the ball, got towards the area with a cross. The ball was blocked and kicked out toward the outside of the area.

João Pedro got the ball, danced behind the area, and delivered a beautiful bending ball inside the far post. The former Fluminense striker didn’t celebrate in front of the many fans from Brazil who used to support him for the Tri-Colorae. Such a quality strike he gave, for sure he could use the excuse of celebrating, but he just raised his hands to say sorry, but I had to do it.

In the 56th minute, João Pedro did it again. After the defense blocked the shot from Fluminense, Chelsea went on a counterattacking run. Quick passing moved the ball up for Chelsea, and when it finally got to the far side, Joao Pedro made a move, cut in between two defenders, ripped a hard shot that nailed the bottom of the crossbar and bounced completely over the goal line. Once again, no celebration from the goal scorer.

Chelsea had some solid defensive moments in this match-up. In the 26th minute, Fluminense attacked down the far side. As the show was taken and Chelsea Keeper Robert Sanchez tried to make the save, but the ball still got through, rolling toward the back of the net. But out of nowhere, running toward the ball was Benoit Badiashile, who slid toward the ball and cleared it out. Waving his finger in a no gesture.

In the 35th minute, it looked like Chelsea was going to get tagged for a penalty as the free kick by Fluminense went straight toward the net. Trevoh Chalobah was whistled for the infraction as his hand did strike the ball. But VAR called up Referee François Letexier to the monitor, and wiped it out as his hands were in a natural position for defending the free kick.

In second half stoppage time, Robert Sanchez made the last save of the match when Agustin Canobbio got to the rebound and drove a long distance shot on net, but Sanchez was right there to make the save. He was in a good position to stand his ground and make the grab. Once the final whistle blew, Chelsea moved on.

Fluminense had a fantastic run in this FIFA Club World Cup. They had some fantastic moments on both sides of the ball, many thought they were going to reach the final as the lone South American club to do it, but it was one of their own who doomed them, wearing the kit of Chelsea. The fans of Fluminense were tremendous, and hopefully, we will see them again in this competition.