Hard-fought...Chelsea eliminates Palmeiras and qualifies to face Fluminense in the semi-finals of the 2025 Club World Cup
Here’s a full recap of Chelsea’s hard-fought win over Palmeiras to reach the 2025 Club World Cup semi-finals, where they've earned a showdown against Fluminense:
⚽ Chelsea 2–1 Palmeiras – Quarter-final Thriller
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Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
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Result: Chelsea advance 2–1 (reuters.com)
📌 Key Moments
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Cole Palmer struck early, netting the opener in the 16th minute with a sharp angled drive from inside the area. (reuters.com)
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Estêvão, Palmeiras' rising star, equalized in the 53rd minute with a stunner—his last match before joining Chelsea. (reuters.com)
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In the 83rd minute, a driven Malo Gusto corner led to a deflected own-goal by Agustín Giay (or credited to goalkeeper Weverton), sealing the win for Chelsea. (reuters.com)
🌟 Human Touch
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Pedro Neto paid homage to his late friends Diogo Jota and André Silva by wearing a shirt with their names — earning admiration for playing through grief. (reuters.com)
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Estêvão’s farewell performance was emotional; he praised coach Abel Ferreira and reflected on his time at Palmeiras. (reuters.com)
🔜 Up Next: Fluminense Showdown
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Fluminense booked their semi-final spot with a 2–1 win over Al-Hilal in Orlando. (reuters.com)
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Chelsea will now face Fluminense on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for a spot in the final. (reuters.com)
🧭 What This Means
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Chelsea avoided the all-Brazilian semi-final subplot — now they tackle Fluminense in a Europe vs. South America clash.
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Kudos to Enzo Maresca’s men: showing depth and grit, they overcame tough opposition to advance. (thetimes.co.uk)
✅ Match Synopsis
| Team | Goals | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | Palmer (16'), Own-goal (83') | Solid depth, emotional mindset |
| Palmeiras | Estêvão (53') | Valued, emotional farewell |
| Next | Chelsea vs Fluminense – Tuesday in NJ | Semi-final showdown |
Let me know if you'd like a tactical-view breakdown, key player analysis, or betting insights before the semi-final!