Chelsea beat Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday night to book a place in the Club World Cup final.
The Blues started quickly and were dominant in the first half, with their efforts showing as Joao Pedro curled in a stunning effort for his first Chelsea goal.
Fluminense grew into the game and were unlucky not to equalise as Hercules poked past Robert Sanchez only for Marc Cucurella to clear off the line.
And the Brazilian side were denied a penalty not long before half-time as referee Francois Letexier reversed his original decision of handball on Trevoh Chalobah.
But they could not press on from there, with Enzo Maresca’s side dominant, and the pressure paid off again as Pedro led the counter and rifled in for his brace and Chelsea’s second.
And that effort proved enough to put the game beyond the Brazilians, with Chelsea booking a final against either Real Madrid or PSG on Sunday night.
Follow the latest reaction from the MetLife Stadium below:
Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE
- Chelsea beat Fluminense in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, and will face Real Madrid or PSG in the final on Sunday
- 56' GOAL! Pedro scores on the counter to put Chelsea in control [FLU 0-2 CHE]
- 35' NO PENALTY! Referee reverses decision after Chalobah handball [FLU 0-1 CHE]
- 25' OFF THE LINE! Cucurella clears Hercules' effort [FLU 0-1 CHE]
- 18' GOAL! Joao Pedro curls in first goal for the club [FLU 0-1 CHE]
Pedro reacts
22:55 , Chris WilsonJoao Pedro says “it was a dream first start” today.
“I don’t think it could’ve been better, two goals, now we need to think about the final. I’m very happy.
“I think I’m happy to score my first goals, but also I know that this tournament is very important for them [Fluminense fans], I can say sorry but I have to be professional, I play for Chelsea and today I was happy to score,” he says.
“Today, because I started , I had more time to do my stuff. The team played well, that’s important.
“I try to improve every session, but I know it’s hard, they help me as well, now I need to rest, [and] focus on the final.
“I think it could be my first title, so I think it’ll be a very important, very special game. I came a week ago and now I’m going to play a final!” he adds.
“I feel comfortable here,” he says as the finishes.
Joao Pedro announces himself to Chelsea to show boyhood club Fluminense how far he’s risen
22:45 , Chris WilsonAgainst a legend of old, Chelsea have a new Brazilian to deify. They are potentially 90 minutes away from becoming world champions, and they have a mid-tournament acquisition to thank.
Fluminense’s journey in the Club World Cup has been nothing short of remarkable. Running on financial fumes, they’ve slayed European giants and Saudi money machines. Thiago Silva, a beloved former Chelsea figure now spending his final footballing days captaining his boyhood club, has been lauded as the heart and soul of their unexpected success. But at the feet of fellow local boy Joao Pedro, Fluminense’s dream of conquering the globe came crashing down.
Joao Pedro announces himself to Chelsea to down boyhood club Fluminense
When is the Club World Cup final? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch as Chelsea book their place
22:40 , Chris WilsonChelsea are potentially 90 minutes away from becoming world champions after dispatching Fluminense in a dominant display in their last-four clash.
The Blues haven’t had the easiest ride to the Club World Cup final, having suffered one of the first shocks of the tournament in a 3-1 group stage loss to Flamengo before seeing their last 16 tie with Benfica marred by a two-hour weather delay.
They’ve managed to battle through, though, overcoming their Brazilian demons to beat Palmeiras, before a Joao Pedro brace gave them a win over the Tricolour to set up a date with destiny at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Enzo Maresca’s side now wait to see who they will face, with a finale meeting with either Real Madrid or European champions Paris Saint-Germain in their sights.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Club World Cup final? Kick-off time and how to watch
More from Maresca
22:30 , Chris Wilson“We’re very happy, because I know how difficult it is. As I said, Premier League top four, we won the Conference, in the final here, it’s fantastic.
“We go game by game. We know what we need to. Now it’s finally the last game of the season, and hopefully we can win the tournament,” he says.
On Madrid and PSG, he adds: “They are both top teams, one won the Champions League this season the other the last, but we’re proud and happy to be there.”
Maresca reacts
22:25 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca says that it is “a great achievement” to reach the final.
“It’s been a fantastic season. Top four, Conference League, now in the final of this competition. We’re so happy,” he says.
On Pedro’s goals, he says: “We know we have players able to do that. We need to help them get into siutautons where they can do that.
“Nico is a striker, he played almost all the games last season, but he was okay,” he adds.
On Caicedo’s injury, he adds: “We’ll see, I told him he has to do everything to be on the pitch on Sunday.”
Next up
22:20 , Chris WilsonSo, Chelsea’s next game is the Club World Cup final!
That match takes place on Sunday, 13 July at the MetLife Stadium, with kick-off set for 8pm BST.
Fluminense’s next game is scheduled for 17 July, at home to Cruziero.
FULL-TIME! Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:15 , Chris WilsonA brilliant performance overall from Chelsea, who did well to limit a dangerous Fluminense side.
It was Joao Pedro with the man-of-the-match performance, but though he scored two superb goals, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez also deserve plaudits for dominating the midfield battle.
And now Chelsea can sit back and wait to see if they’ll face Real Madrid or PSG in Sunday’s final!
FULL-TIME! Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:11 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:07 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and Chelsea are in the Club World Cup final!
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:04 , Chris Wilson90 +9 mins
Lima rifles an effort over and that should be that.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:03 , Chris Wilson90 +8 mins
Caicedo does come off, but nobody comes on as Chelsea have used all their subs.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:01 , Chris Wilson90 +7 mins
That would’ve been something.
Everaldo connects with the bicycle kick, but it flies over.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
22:00 , Chris Wilson90 +5 mins
Caicedo seems okay to carry on as he comes back in.
Fluminense attack but Sotelo’s cross is long.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:58 , Chris Wilson90 +4 mins
Caicedo does look in pain here. It seems to be a problem with his ankle.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:57 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
Chelsea are moments away from booking a spot in the final. They’ll face either Real Madrid or PSG!
They do have a warning though, as Sotelo’s cross is headed wide.
There is a worry here too, as Caicedo is down after a challenge.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:56 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Cannobio is penalised for a foul and Chelsea have time to regroup.
We’ll have six minutes of added time.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:54 , Chris Wilson89 mins
Cucurella’s tackle near halfway releases Palmer, but he can’t find the angle to squeeze the shot on target.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:52 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Chelsea looking pretty comfortable as they aim to see the game out.
Fluminense pressing but it just hasn’t been their day – Chelsea have really limited their attacking threat today.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:50 , Chris Wilson85 mins
Fernandez and Nkunku make way for Andrey Santos and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:5084 mins
Arias wins another corner, and there looks like a chance for Ignacio but someone is penalised for handball.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:48 , Chris Wilson83 mins
Canobbio spreads it wide to Soteldo, who sees his cross put behind by Tosin.
Chalobah heads away well from the corner.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:47 , Chris Wilson81 mins
It’s spread wide to Madueke, who plays a good through ball to Jackson, but he can’t squeeze the effort past Fabio.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:4479 mins
Back underway and Jackson has a chance to wrap the game up as he wins the ball on the edge of the box before firing an effort into the side-netting.
Cole Palmer is furious.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:40 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Another cooling break here.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:39 , Chris Wilson75 mins
A good chance for Chelsea as Jackson feeds it wide to Cucurella, who plays a good ball in but sees Silva flick it away well.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:38 , Chris Wilson74 mins
Now Sanchez is booked for wasting time.
Fluminense are in possession but they don’t look like doing much with it.
It’s been a disciplined, dominant display from Chelsea in truth.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:36 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Soteldo is booked for a foul on Cucurella. The game is getting away from Fluminense at the moment!
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:35 , Chris Wilson72 mins
Half a chance as the ball comes to Lima on the outside of the box, but he side-foots an effort well over.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:34 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Tow ore changes for Fluminense as Bernal and Hercules come off for Cannobio and Lima.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:32 , Chris Wilson69 mins
Another half-chance for Chelsea as Gusto sees his effort go wide.
Two changes for the Blues now, as Reece James and Noni Madueke come on for Gusto and Neto.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:30 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Another change for Fluminense as Nonato makes way for Soteldo.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:30 , Chris Wilson66 mins
OFF THE LINE! More good work from Chelsea as Palmer spreads it wide to Nkunku, who cuts inside and squeezes a shot past Fabio, but Thiago Silva is there to clear off the line!
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:2864 mins
More danger from Chelsea as Nkunku cuts in and unleashes the shot, but Thiago Silva heads away.
From the corner, Fernandez sees his cross headed away.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:26 , Chris Wilson61 mins
Better from the Brazilian side as Keno makes his way into the box, but rather than cross he sees a poor effort fly wide.
Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:24 , Chris Wilson59 mins
Once again, Pedro doesn’t celebrate against his old side.
We have a first yellow as the Brazilian is dragged down by Nonato.
And that is his last involvement as Pedro comes off for Jackson. No hattrick for the Brazilian!
GOAL! Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea
21:22 , Chris Wilson57 mins
GOAL! It’s a brace for Pedro!
Palmer wins the ball in midfield and Fernandez knocks it to Pedro, who has found plenty of space in the Fluminense half.
He stands up the defender and cuts in before rifling in an effort that cannons off the underside of the crossbar and in!
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:20 , Chris Wilson55 mins
Chance for the Brazilians!
The ball goes long towards Everaldo – who has just come on for German Cano – and he loses his man before driving towards goal and firing an effort too close to Sanchez.
Another change comes too, with Keno coming on for Thiago Santos.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:17 , Chris Wilson53 mins
More pressure from Chelsea, with Fluminense barely able to get out of their own half so far since the break.
A great interception from Bernal prevents a dangerous through ball, before Cucurella drives wide from just outside the box.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:14 , Chris Wilson50 mins
A couple of Chelsea crosses aren’t dealt with and Gusto clips in a final one that causes trouble, but it’s put behind for a corner.
Caicedo swings the ball in but Santos heads clear.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:13 , Chris Wilson49 mins
Caicedo sees the space open up in front of him but he drives an effort well wide.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:12 , Chris Wilson47 mins
No changes at the break fort either side.
Chelsea begin with plenty of possession as both teams try and feel their way into the second half.
KICK-OFF! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:09 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in the second period.
HALF-TIME! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:07 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are re-emerging onto the pitch, so the second half will begin soon.
HALF-TIME! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
21:04 , Chris WilsonSo, an intriguing half in New Jersey.
Chelsea have certainly been the better of the two sides, and definitely deserve their lead, though they may be lucky to still have it after some great defensive work from Cucurella.
Fluminense will be disappointed with their performance overall but they’ve shown flashes of what they’re capable of in attack – they just need to take advantage when it matters.
We’re in for a good second half at the MetLife.
HALF-TIME! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:58 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:53 , Chris WilsonThe half comes to an end without incident and we head into the break at 1-0 to Chelsea!
It’s been a very interesting half in New Jersey, but Chelsea will be by far the happier of the two sides.
They’ll still be wary of the Fluminense threat though, with the Brazilian side showing what they can do in flashes despite being guilty of a sub-par display so far.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:51 , Chris Wilson45 +3 mins
Chelsea have been quite comfortable as the half approaches an end, and they’re knocking it around well to take the sting out of the game.
A few moments left before the break.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:49 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
And now a chance for the Blues, with Neto bearing down on goal after a through ball but he sees his shot deflected behind.
From the corner, the ball in is flicked to the back post but Nkunku can only head wide.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:47 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Out of nowhere though, there’s a half-chance for Hercules as the ball is swung in and he brings it down just behind the penalty spot, but he can’t get the shot away!
We’ll have five minutes of added time here.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:4644 mins
The game has gone a little flat since the reversed penalty decision. Perhaps because of the heat.
Chelsea would certainly be happy of the half ended like this.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:44 , Chris Wilson41 mins
Neto capitalises on a slip from the defender before skipping past another challenge, but it ends with him winning a corner.
From the set-piece, the Portuguese sees his cross collected by Fabio.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:42 , Chris Wilson38 mins
Nkunku and Fernandez try to make something happen on the edge of the box but it’s cleared.
NO PENALTY! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:39 , Chris Wilson35 mins
NO PENALTY! The free-kick comes in, it hits a sea of bodies, the shouts come, and the ref gives it!
The ball comes in and it hits Chalobah in the hand, but it looks a little harsh on first viewing. We’ll have a VAR check anyway...
The ref goes to the monitor, and the replays show that Chalobah was moving his arm away.
And the referee reverses his decision!
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:37 , Chris Wilson34 mins
Better from Fluminense as they put together some nice touches in midfield before Arias flicks a ball forward and they win a corner.
From the corner, Tosin heads away well but it comes back to Arias, who stands up Palmer before clipping in a good cross that Tosin once again heads away.
From the rebound, Joao Pedro concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area on the edge of the box.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:3432 mins
Chelsea are still fairly dominant here, despite that earlier chance for the Brazilians.
Fluminense don’t look comfortable on the ball and are losing the midfield battle to Caicedo and Fernandez.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:32 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Cooling break over! We resume with the Brazilian side in possession.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:30 , Chris Wilson27 mins
Time for the first drinks break of the game.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:2926 mins
OFF THE LINE! A brilliant move from the Brazilian side!
The ball is flicked around the corner to Hercules who finds himself one-v-one with Sanchez.
He flicks it past the ‘keeper and it looks like a certain goal, but Cucurella is there to clear off the line!
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:26 , Chris Wilson23 mins
Another half-chance for the English side as the ball goes long towards Nkunku, but the defender flicks it away before the shot can come.
Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:23 , Chris Wilson21 mins
CLOSE! Chelsea almost double their lead.
Neto does well again on the left and swings in a great cross that Gusto heads right at Fabio.
GOAL! Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea
20:22 , Chris Wilson18 mins
GOAL! What a hit this is, and it’s a first Chelsea goal for Joao Pedro!
Chelsea win the ball high up into the Fluminense half and they counter quickly. The cross comes in but it’s deflected away.
It drops to the Brazilian right on the outside of the box, and he wraps his foot around the ball to curl it into the far corner!
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:19 , Chris Wilson16 mins
Good feet from Nkunku to win another free-kick in a potentially dangerous position.
It’s outside of shooting range, but Fernandez clips it in and Tosin heads wide. He was offside anyway.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:16 , Chris Wilson14 mins
Fluminense just looking to take some of the early sting out of Chelsea at the moment.
It’s spread wide to Rene, but he can’t find anyone with the ball into the box.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:15 , Chris Wilson12 mins
CHANCE! More good stuff from Chelsea, as the ball in from Caicedo comes to Fernandez in the box. He has time to spin and take the shot, but it’s blocked brilliantly.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:13 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Half a chance for Chelsea as Palmer finds the space to float in a cross and Fernandez manages to get to it, but he can’t direct a shot goalwards.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:11 , Chris Wilson9 mins
A tricky run from Neto sees him win the first dangerous free-kick of the game.
It’s a chance to cross and it’s taken quickly, though the ball in is headed away before Cucurella heads a weak effort into the arms of Fabio.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:09 , Chris Wilson7 mins
A better attendance for this semi-final!
The early signs have been promising in New Jersey, with both sides putting together some good combinations in midfield.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:08 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Fernandez goes in with the scissor-challenge and it’s a silly one, but he’s nowhere near any dangerous contact. Just a word from the ref.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:06 , Chris Wilson4 mins
Palmer’s first real involvement sees him overcook a cross to Nkunku, which Fabio collects.
Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:06 , Chris Wilson2 mins
A few exchanges of possession early on, with both sides losing the ball cheaply.
Fluminense knit together the first real bit of attacking play, but the shot is well wide.
KICK-OFF! Fluminense 0-0 Chelsea
20:02 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at the MetLife Stadium!
'A fair few seats still need filling'
19:59 , Will Castle in New YorkTemperature gauge is at 35°C as the Chelsea and Fluminense boys take to the MetLife Stadium one-by-one. Still a small chance of lightning, which could prove chaotic. A decent portion of Flu fans have been in the stands for a while, braving the heat before the rest. Still, a fair few seats need filling with kick-off imminent.
Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE
19:55 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are out on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium, so we should be underway soon.
Not sure the player-by-player introductions will catch on, really.
Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE
19:50
Club World Cup semi-finals
19:45 , Chris WilsonA reminder that the second semi-final of the competition comes tomorrow in the same place at the same time.
Real Madrid take on PSG at 8pm BST at the MetLife Stadium, with the winner facing the winner of tonight’s match in the final on Sunday.
The Independent will have a dedicated blog for that match too.
How to watch the Club World Cup
19:40 , Chris WilsonDAZN will show each match of the tournament live, including the final, for free in the UK.
All users can watch a live stream on television and mobile devices by signing up for the company’s DAZN Freemium service, with the option to watch ad-free coverage for £14.99. Users can watch DAZN from anywhere by using the DAZN App on TVs, smartphones and any device with a web browser.
Chelsea reach Club World Cup semi-finals as late own goal downs Palmeiras
19:35 , Chris WilsonThe report from Chelsea’s quarter-final tie...
Chelsea scored a fortuitous late own goal to snatch a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras and reach the Club World Cup semi-finals.
Extra time was looming at Lincoln Financial Field when Malo Gusto’s cross took deflections off Agustin Giay and goalkeeper Weverton and ended up in the back of the Brazilians’ net in the 83rd minute.
The London side had led early on through Cole Palmer but were pegged back by a superb strike from Estevao Willian, the 18-year-old winger who will join them after the tournament.
Chelsea reach Club World Cup semi-finals as late own goal downs Palmeiras
How did Chelsea reach the semis?
19:30 , Chris WilsonChelsea started their campaign in perfect fashion with a 2-0 win over LAFC in their opener, though a 3-1 loss to Flamengo threatened to derail it all, with a poor performance drawing plenty of criticism.
However, the Blues have managed to rally since then and beat ES Tunis in the final game of the group stages to seal second place in Group D.
This rewarded them with a last-16 tie against Benfica, which the Blues won 4-1 after extra time, before a closer 2-1 win over another Brazilian side, Palmeiras, gave them a place in the semi-finals tonight.
How did Fluminense reach the semi-finals?
19:20 , Chris WilsonFluminense started the competition with a 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund, before a 4-2 win over Korean side Ulsan set them up to qualify. They then secured second place in Group F with a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the first match of the knockout rounds, the brazilian giants met European royalty in Inter Milan, but came out with a shock 2-0 win in one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far.
This famous win was followed by a more straightforward 2-1 win over Al-Hilal to book a place in the final four of the tournament.
Marc Cucurella relishing Thiago Silva reunion at Club World Cup
19:10 , Chris WilsonChelsea’s Marc Cucurella is looking forward to doing battle with former team-mate Thiago Silva for a place in the Club World Cup final.
Evergreen defender Thiago, who left Chelsea last summer, is still producing impressive performances at the age of 40 for current club Fluminense.
The two clubs meet in the semi-finals of this summer’s global tournament in New York on Tuesday.
Fellow defender Cucurella said: “We’ve watched some of their games. They have very good players, they are very determined and they have Thiago Silva.
Marc Cucurella relishing Thiago Silva reunion at Club World Cup
Enzo Maresca plays down Chelsea’s Club World Cup chances: ‘We are not the favourites’
19:00 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca has snapped back at any suggestion that Chelsea are favourites to win the Club World Cup ahead of his side’s semi-final meeting with Fluminense.
Chelsea are potentially 90 minutes away from a shot at becoming world champions, with a final against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain waiting.
But with such calibre of opponents still in the competition, Maresca disagrees that his side are the clear front runners to bring home Club World Cup glory.
Enzo Maresca plays down Club World Cup chances: ‘We are not the favourites’
Team news
18:53 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca has made three changes to the side that beat Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, with Levi Colwill replaced in defence by Tosin Adarabioyo.
In midfield, Andrey Santos makes way for the returning Moises Caicedo, while in attack, Joao Pedro makes his first start as Liam Delap makes away.
Team news
18:49Fluminense XI: Fabio; Ignacio, Thiago Silva, Thiago Santos; Guga, Hercules, Bernal, Nonato, Rene; Arias, Cano.
Subs: Canobbio, Ganso, Fuentes, Lavega, Lezcano, Lima, Serna, Isaque, Manoel, Paulo Baya, Soteldo, Everaldo, Samuel Xavier, Keno, Vitor Eudes.
Team news
18:46 , Chris WilsonChelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Jorgensen, Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, James, Sarr, Anselmino,Andrey Santos, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, George, Guiu, Jackson.
Today's XI. COYB! 🔵📋 pic.twitter.com/xz1lrDYe8Q
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025
European football’s superiority complex and Fluminense’s mission to destroy it
18:35 , Chris WilsonFluminense are the “ugly duckling” of the Club World Cup. That’s the words of their own manager, Renato Gaucho. Yet here they are, potentially 90 minutes away from a shot at becoming, by definition, world champions.
Akin to their entire campaign, they enter their semi-final clash with Chelsea as heavy underdogs. Fluminense might have already dispatched Champions League runners up Inter Milan, but the prevailing perception that lightning can’t strike twice has many quickly writing them off. It’s this European superiority complex that could prove the demise of the Blues, because Fluminense have beaten far tougher odds to get to this stage.
European football’s superiority complex and Fluminense’s mission to destroy it
Club World Cup results
18:23 , Chris WilsonA reminder of the quarter-final results in the Club World Cup:
Friday 4 July
Match 57: Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea
Match 58: Fluminense 2-1 Al-Hilal
Saturday 5 July
Match 59: PSG 2-0 Bayern Munich
Match 60: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
How to watch the Club World Cup
18:17 , Chris WilsonDAZN will show each match of the tournament live, including the final, for free in the UK.
All users can watch a live stream on television and mobile devices by signing up for the company’s DAZN Freemium service, with the option to watch ad-free coverage for £14.99. Users can watch DAZN from anywhere by using the DAZN App on TVs, smartphones and any device with a web browser.
When is Fluminense vs Chelsea?
18:12 , Chris WilsonFluminense will face Chelsea at 8pm BST on Tuesday, 8 July (3pm local time). The match will take place at the MetLife Stadium – home of the New York Giants and New York Jets – in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The stadium will also host the other semi-final, between Real Madrid and PSG, as well as the final on Sunday, 13 July.
Fluminense vs Chelsea LIVE
18:05 , Chris WilsonChelsea take on Brazilian side Fluminense in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup on Tuesday night, with the Blues facing a golden chance to make it to the final of the new competition.
Chelsea have managed to avoid facing any of the big European sides so far in the knockout stages, though they had to battle through against tough South American opposition in the 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
And they face a Fluminense side who shocked Inter Milan in the round of 16 before beating Al-Hilal 2-1 to secure their semi-final spot.
Enzo Maresca’s side will be wary of the threat from Brazilian teams – having lost 3-1 to Flamengo in the groups – but the Blues will enter the match as favourites to set up a huge final against either PSG or Real Madrid.
Good evening
17:59 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Club World Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Fluminense.
The Blues meet the Brazilian giants in New Jersey for a place in the final of the first edition of the new Club World Cup competition, with both sides desperate for a place in the showpiece game for their own different reasons.
Chelsea are looking to prove doubters wrong while the Brazilians are looking to deliver on some early promise with a famous night for both their fans and Brazilian football as a whole.
It’s set to be a cracker at the MetLife, and we’ll have all the build-up and match updates here.
