Fluminense vs Chelsea - LIVE!
Chelsea are through to the Club World Cup final after beating Fluminense. Joao Pedro - signed from Brighton last week - was the hero for the Blues as he opened his account for his new club with a brace to ensure the west London outfit will be back at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Fluminense had been the surprise package of the Club World Cup, but this meeting against the Premier League giants proved a step too far as Thiago Silva suffered defeat at the hands of his former club. Joao Pedro was handed his first start in place of the suspended Liam Delap. A decision that paid off inside 20 minutes as the Brazilian broke the deadlock with a stunning finish.
He then made the game safe 11 minutes after half-time with another fine finish to ensure Chelsea will return to the MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the 2025 Club World Cup final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. Follow the back LIVE below with our dedicated match blog!
Fluminense vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Joao Pedro adds a second
- NO PENALTY! Referee overturns decision
- GOAL! Joao Pedro opens his Chelsea account
Chelsea player ratings
22:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCole Palmer 7
A few neat touches and inviting balls into the area. His determination to ferry the ball through a host of challenges opened up the space from which Pedro doubled Chelsea's lead.
Christopher Nkunku 6
Had a couple of inviting opportunities which he spurned. A more confident version of Nkunku gets himself on the scoresheet.
Joao Pedro 9
Looked right at home on his first Chelsea start. A superb curling effort broke the deadlock for the Blues, and he linked up well with Pedro Neto all night. Capped a fine performance with his and Chelsea's second after the break before being replaced by Nicolas Jackson.
Click here for our player ratings in full!
Standard Sport's Sam Tabuteau
22:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneComfortable stuff in the end for Chelsea, who cruise into Sunday's final courtesy of two goals from Joao Pedro.
Chelsea through to final
22:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea are through to the Club World Cup final after beating Fluminense.
Joao Pedro was the hero for the Blues as he opened his account for his new club with a brace to ensure the west London outfit will be back at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
FULL-TIME
22:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFluminense 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea are into the Club World Cup final!
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+7 min: Everaldo with an overhead kick but the ball sails over the bar. That would have been special had it gone in.
Caicedo is down again. The ankle issue has flared up again, he is not able to continue.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Caicedo is back on his feet, that will be a relief to Chelsea fans ahead of Sunday’s final.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: Half a chance for Fluminense as Keno heads wide.
Concern for Chelsea as Caicedo is down. Looks to have rolled his ankle.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+1 min: Canobbio’s shot from range is far too close to Sanchez who makes a routine save.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: Palmer tries to place one in the bottom corner but sees an effort blocked. Madueke then feeds Jackson who lets the ball roll under his foot.
Board goes up....SIX MORE MINUTES
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: Ignacio sees the ball strike his arm in the box and all the Fluminense excitement is cut short as the referee calls for a free-kick to Chelsea.
Another Chelsea sub as Andrey Santos replaces Enzo Fernandez.
Two changes actually, Dewsbury-Hall is on for Nkunku.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: You do have to feel for Jackson there. He’s just seen his rival for a starting berth get on the scoresheet twice tonight and probably felt he needed to respond.
Another chance for Jackson but his effort is blocked.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Into the final 10 minutes here in the Club World Cup semi-final. Chelsea comfortably lead and they should be three ahead as Jackson races through.
He takes on the shot and finds the side-netting as Palmer goes beserk!
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Game is getting a bit scrappy now as Sanchez is booked for time-wasting.
Far too early for that, he will hope that decision doesn’t come back to haunt him.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Soteldo is booked for putting his hand into the face of Cucurella.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Ball sits up nicely for Lima but he can’t keep his effort down.
If Fluminense get the next goal, it will make things interesting.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne69 min: Now it’s Fluminense’s turn to make a double change.
ON: Canobbio, Lima
OFF: Herclues, Berna
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Double change for Chelsea.
ON: James, Madueke
OFF: Gusto, Neto
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Soteldo replaces Nonato for Fluminense.
Gusto goes close to netting Chelsea’s third goal but his effort is just wide.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Thiago Silva saves the day for Fluminense with a clearance off the line to deny Nkunku a goal.
Perhaps the Frenchman could have hit the ball sooner.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: This could be anything now, Nkunku sees an effort deflected behind for a corner.
Standard Sport's Sam Tabuteau
21:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoao Pedro doubles Chelsea's lead with an unerring strike. The Brazilian looks right at home. What a performance this has been from him. Superb determination, even if he didn't know an awful lot about it, in the build up from Cole Palmer as well.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: No hat-trick for Joao Pedro as he’s been replaced by Nicolas Jackson.
Nonato has been booke for Fluminense.
GOAL! Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea | Joao Pedro '56
21:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: GOALLLLLLLL
It’s Joao Pedro again and what a strike, in off the crossbar to put Chelsea in full control.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Everaldo has a chance immediately as he is sent through with a ball over the top. He loses a good angle as his shot is comfortably saved by Sanchez.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Cucurella goes close to doubling Chelsea’s lead as he drills a shot just wide of the post.
Double change for Fluminense as Everaldo and Keno are on for German Cano and Thiago Santos.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Palmer finds space and tees up Caicedo who blasts an effort high and wide.
The Chelsea midfielder is good at many things, scoring goals is not one of them.
KICK-OFF
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at the MetLife Stadium!
No changes from either side.
HALF-TIME
20:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea lead at the break thanks to Joao Pedro’s first goal for the club.
Fluminense thought they had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+4 min: Cheeky effort from Ignacio, 50 yards out. To be fair, he did spot Sanchez off his line but the execution was poor.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+1 min: Decent chance for Nkunku at the back post following Tosin’s flick at the near. However, the Frenchman can’t guide his header on target.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Board goes up...
FIVE minutes of added on time.
Pedro Neto tries to strike before half-time but he’s crowded out. Wins another corner though.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Decent opening for the Brazilian side but Herclues is let down by his first touch.
A better touch and he would have had a good chance of scoring an equaliser.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Neto almost punishes a Fluminense slip but ends up settling for a corner which he takes and his delivery is not great as Fabio comes and collects.
Standard Sport's Sam Tabuteau
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe correct decision in the end. Not much Trevoh Chalobah could have done to get his hand out of the way. Fluminense, though, have reacted well to going behind.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: NO PENALTY
Chalobah’s hand is adjudged to have been in a natural position and the referee reverses his decision.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: A costly free-kick indeed as Fluminense are awarded a penalty as the ball hit Chalobah on the hand.
However, the referee has come to the screen to have a second look.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne34 min: Excellent defending from Joao Pedro to head the ball away at the back post just as Ignacio’s eyes lit up.
However, the Chelsea forward lunges in moments later to give away a needless free-kick in a dangerous position.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: What a way for Joao Pedro to open his Chelsea account!
It was an absolute beauty. 👌 https://t.co/y7dO754Rwx pic.twitter.com/z0Mel319Yc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Just seen a goal-line technology image of Cucurella’s clearance.
Not as dramatic as first suggested but good awareness from the Spaniard to track back.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: OFF THE LINE
So close for Fluminense as Hercules races through, pokes the ball past Sanchez but Cucurella is on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Question marks over Sanchez’s positioning as he stayed on his line.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: Fernandez will have to be careful here, that’s a couple of fouls now and the Fluminense players will be calling for a card soon.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Almost a second for Chelsea as Gusto puts his header straight at Fabio.
Either side of the goalkeeper and it’s 2-0!
Standard Sport's Sam Tabuteau
20:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoao Pedro on his first start, what a strike to open the scoring for Chelsea. He spoke with such confidence in the build up to tonight's game and he's delivered with a wonderful curling effort.
GOAL! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea | Joao Pedro '18
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: GOALLLLLL
Joao Pedro marks his full Chelsea debut with a goal against his former club.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Fernandez lifts the ball in, Tosin meets it with a header, gets good contact but can’t steer an effort on target.
Offside flag was raised anyway.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Chelsea very much on top here, Nkunku wins a free-kick in a dangerous area. Fernandez and Palmer standing over this one...
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: CHANCE!
Gusto picks out Fernandez with a cross, the Chelsea skipper manages to turn an shoot inside the box but his effort is blocked by Ignacio.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: First real sight of goal for Chelsea as Palmer whips a dangerous ball into the box which is well defended before Fabio punches the ball clear.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne9 min: Sustained spell of Chelsea possession ends with Pedro Neto earning a free-kick after being taken down by Nonato.
Set-piece is taken quickly but Fabio manages to secure the ball.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Strong challenge from Fernandez on Cano. Chelsea captain gets a talking to from the referee who keeps his cards in his pocket.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Fluminense almost get lucky with an attack but German Cano slices an effort which sees the ball nearly fall kindly for a teammate but Gusto is on hand to clear.
KICK-OFF!
20:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Club World Cup semi-final!
Legendary announcement
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLegendary American ring announcer Michael Buffer is here in New Jersey.
Here we go!
19:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAll 22 starters are out on the pitch now and you know what that means...
Yes, kick-off is right around the corner!
Player introductions
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight then, the players are being introduced at the MetLife Stadium one by one.
Maresca delighted to have Caicedo back
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSpeaking to DAZN ahead of kick-off, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed just how important it is to have Moises Caicedo back from suspension.
He said: “We have said many times that every time he is on the pitch we are a better team.
“Andrey [Santos] was fantastic the other day, he is a young player and following the right players he can improve a lot and Moises is also there for that."
Not long now!
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKick-off in the first Club World Cup semi-final is in around 15 minutes!
Chelsea dressing room
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA sneak peak behind the scenes at the MetLife Stadium as the Chelsea dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Thiago Silva starts
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFor the first time since leaving Chelsea a year ago, Thiago Silva faces his former club as he has been named in the Fluminense starting XI.
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is a reminder of tonight’s teams...
Fluminense XI: Fabio; Ignacio, Thiago Silva (c), Thiago Santos; Guga, Herclues, Bernal, Nonato, Rene; Arias, Cano
Subs: Vitor Eudes, Samuel Xavier, Manoel, Fuentes, Lezcano, Isaque, Lima, Ganso, Everaldo, Canobbio, Keno, Soteldo, Lavega, Serna, Paulo Baya
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Nkunku, Palmer; Joao Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, James, Sarr, Anselmino, Andrey Santos, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Madueke, Jackson, Guiu
Chelsea's route
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust like Fluminense, Chelsea also finished second in their group - behind another Brazilian side in Flamengo.
From there, the Blues have beaten Benfica and Palmeiras to reach the Club World Cup semi-final.
Fluminense's route
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFluminense have been the surprise package at the 2025 Club World Cup.
The Brazilians finished runners-up to Borussia Dortmund in the group stage which set up a round of 16 showdown with last season's Champions League finalists Inter Milan.
A brilliant 2-0 win over the Serie A giants saw Fluminense face Al-Hilal in the quarter-final and they passed that test with flying colours.
Chelsea changes
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has made three changes to the Chelsea team that started the win over Palmeiras in the quarter-final.
Two of which are enforced as the suspended pair of Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are replaced by Joao Pedro and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Elsewhere, Moises Caicedo returns from a ban to partner Enzo Fernandez in midfield.
Fluminense team in full
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFluminense XI: Fabio; Ignacio, Thiago Silva (c), Thiago Santos; Guga, Herclues, Bernal, Nonato, Rene; Arias, Cano
Substitutes: Vitor Eudes, Samuel Xavier, Manoel, Fuentes, Lezcano, Isaque, Lima, Ganso, Everaldo, Canobbio, Keno, Soteldo, Lavega, Serna, Paulo Baya
FLUMINENSE XI CONFIRMED
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd here is the Fluminense team to face Chelsea...
O #TIMEDEGUERREIROS ESTÁ ESCALADO PARA A SEMIFINAL DA #FIFACWC!
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) July 8, 2025
É PELO NOSSO SONHO, FLUMINENSE! #TakeItToTheWorld
Acompanhe a partida de graça no app da @DAZNFootball >> https://t.co/pOu0BqBHDP pic.twitter.com/LndexpgJjV
Chelsea team in full
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Nkunku, Palmer; Joao Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, James, Sarr, Anselmino, Andrey Santos, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Madueke, Jackson, Guiu
Standard Sport's Sam Tabuteau
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoao Pedro makes his first start as a Chelsea player. He said pre-match he was ready for the step up. The semi-finals of the Club World Cup is quite the stage to do so.
CHELSEA XI CONFIRMED
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Chelsea team that Enzo Maresca has selected to the Club World Cup semi-final...
Today's XI. COYB! 🔵📋 pic.twitter.com/xz1lrDYe8Q
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025
Cucurella issues verdict on 'difficult' Chelsea transfer strategy
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMarc Cucurella appeared to hit out at Chelsea’s high-turnover transfer strategy after the club signed two new stars in the past week.
Chelsea have already added seven first-team players this summer, with £115m forward pair Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens both joining up with the squad in the United States. Plenty of outgoings are expected to come, too.
Cucurella himself joined as part of a hectic season off-pitch, where he was one of 15 arrivals, and struggled to bed in on arrival.
Speaking after the Blues beat Palmeiras to progress to the Club World Cup semi-finals, the Spaniard said he struggled to build relationships with his teammates as the revolving door at the club spun apace.
Team news imminent
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting team news to be confirmed any minute now.
Stay tuned!
Setting the stage
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea’s pre-match video is a thing of beauty!
KO in 1.5 hours. 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/iNiqy5RL0M
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025
Estevao Willian turns down Cole Palmer invite
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEstevao Willian turned down Cole Palmer’s invitation to spend time with his future Chelsea teammates after facing the Blues at the Club World Cup.
The 18-year-old Brazilian is among the highest-rated talents in world football, and agreed to sign with Chelsea last summer. He will finally complete his move to Stamford Bridge this month.
Representing Palmeiras at the Club World Cup, he found himself in an awkward position as he was made to face his future team in the quarter-finals, and scored in the 2-1 defeat.
He was seen chatting with Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and Dario Essugo at full-time, and has now revealed that Palmer invited him to meet more of the squad.
Can Estevao and Gittens feature?
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNo.
Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens will only be available after the Club World Cup, where they have been featuring for Palmeiras and Borussia Dortmund, respectively. So neither will play against Fluminense.
Predicted Chelsea XI
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBenoit Badiashile suffered an injury in the round-of-16 victory over Benfica so won’t feature, meaning Tosin Adarabioyo could partner Trevoh Chalobah at centre-back in the absence of the suspended Levi Colwill.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku; Pedro.
Joao Pedro ready to start
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoao Pedro says he is ready to start Chelsea's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense after training during his holidays to keep his fitness up before joining the club.
The Brazilian last became the Blues' sixth signing of an already busy summer window, arriving from Brighton on a deal worth up to £60million, and made his debut just days later in the win over Palmeiras at the Club World Cup.
Joao Pedro played a little over half an hour and impressed as Chelsea won 2-1 to set up a semi-final clash with Fluminense. With Liam Delap suspended for the game, after picking up a yellow card, and Nicolas Jackson coming back from a ban of his own, there is a striker vacancy to fill.
Click here for Joao Pedro's quotes in full!
Today's setting
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts tonight's Club World Cup semi-final.
This is the venue that will stage tomorrow's second last four tie between PSG and Real Madrid as well as the final on Sunday night.
Fluminense played here twice in the group phase, drawing 0-0 with Borussia Dortmund and beating Ulsan HD 4-2.
Fluminense vs Chelsea match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFluminense to qualify: 14/5
Chelsea to qualify: 1/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Score prediction
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDespite being marginal favourites to progress, the Blues will have to guard against complacency as Fluminense are unbeaten in the competition and their round of 16 win over Inter Milan shows they can spring a surprise.
That said, Chelsea’s extra bit of quality could ultimately prove to be the difference in a close encounter.
Chelsea to win, 2-1
Chelsea team news: Caicedo to return
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea will be without Liam Delap and Levi Colwill through suspension. Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile miss out through injury.
As a result, Nicolas Jackson could lead the line, though Enzo Maresca may have hinted at handing summer signing Joao Pedro a start as he turned to the Brazilian to replace Delap in the semi-final.
Moises Caicedo is a certainty to return to the starting XI after serving his one-game ban.
Fluminense team news - key duo suspended
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMatheus Martinelli - scorer of Fluminense’s winner against Al-Hilal - and Juan Freytes are suspended for the semi-final after being booked in the quarter-final tie.
Experienced defender Rene is available for selection having been banned against Al-Hilal. Thiago Silva is expected to lead the defence against his former club.
How to watch
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live.
Live stream: Viewers can watch the action live online via the DAZN website, which is free with a registration. Coverage starts at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
DAZN is the global broadcaster of the new-look Club World Cup. No subscription is required to watch the game, with the entire tournament available to their 'Freemium' members, which means you only need to sign up for a free DAZN account.
Live coverage: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Welcome
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Fluminense vs Chelsea!
Can Chelsea continue their march towards becoming world champions? Enzo Maresca’s side are favourites to beat Fluminense and reach the Club World Cup final, but the Brazilian outfit have sprung a couple of surprises throughhout the tournament and are looking to claim another big scalp.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the MetLife Stadium. Stick with us!
