An 83rd-minute Weverton own goal from a deflected Malo Gusto cross gave Chelsea a nervy 2-1 win over a spirited Palmeiras side in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Friday.
Chelsea made most of the running and dominated early on but were reckless with their finishing and went into the break with a one-goal advantage thanks to Cole Palmer's 16th-minute strike. Palmeiras roared back after halftime with teenage winger Estevao, who is soon to join Chelsea, equalising in the 53rd minute with a stunning strike from a tight angle.
Seven minutes from time, Gusto's attempted cross deflected off defender Bruno Fuchs and wrongfooted Weverton, the ball bouncing off his back and into the back of the net. Chelsea will now face another Brazilian side in Fluminense in the semi-finals in New York on Tuesday.
Palmeiras vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Weverton howler gifts Blues a goal
- GOAL! Estevao equalises against his future club!
- BOOKED: Delap will miss semi-final through suspension
- GOAL! Palmer cooly slots home the opener
Chelsea face Fluminense on Tuesday.
Full-time!
03:56 , Alex Young96min: CHelsea are into the semi-finals!
Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea
03:56 , Alex Young93min: Madueke denied by the post!
Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea
03:52 , Alex Young91min: Four minutes added on.
Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea
03:48 , Alex Young87min: Colwill booked, and he will miss the semi-final too.
Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea
03:47 , Alex Young85min: Palmeiras aren’t out of this yet!
CHELSEA GOAL!
03:46 , Alex Young83min: Does that send Chelsea into the semi-finals?!
A bizarre goal but Gusto won’t care as his cross-cum-shot is not dealt with by goalkeeper Weverton!
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:43 , Alex Young82min: Madueke skips into the area, skips a badly timed challenge and stays on his feet as the ball runs out of play. If he went down, that probably would have been a penalty!
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:40 , Alex Young79min: After a delay, Palmer sends the free kick into the wall and out for a throw in.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:39 , Alex Young78min: Rios is booked, so will miss the semi-final if Palmeiras get there.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:38 , Alex Young77min: Madueke wins a free kick on the edge of the area. Micael barging him over.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:36 , Alex Young74min: Oh, Cucurella should score!
The corner drops to the back post, Joao Pedro plays back to an unmarked Cucurella, who blazes over from 12 yards.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:35 , Alex Young73min: Madueke has been lively and wins another corner.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:32 , Alex Young71min: This game could go either way. It’s finely balanced heading into the final 20 minutes.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:29 , Alex Young68min: Paulinho and Mauricio are on for Palmeiras.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:28 , Alex Young66min: Very poor from Joao Pedro, who winds up for a shot from the edge of the area but sends an effort 10 yards wide.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:25 , Alex Young64min: That corner is easily cleared and Palmeiras race up field and Allan’s shot sends Sanchez scrambling but fizzes wide.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:24 , Alex Young62min: Neto takes, it comes out to Santos for a shot at goal which is blocked. Chelsea win another corner.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:23 , Alex Young61min: Madeuke wins a corner with his first meaningful contribution.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:22 , Alex Young59min: Chelsea look a bit stunned. Seeing plenty of the ball since the goal but haven’t done anything with it.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:19 , Alex Young55min: Madueke is also on, replacing Nkunku.
Palmeiras 1-1 Chelsea
03:17 , Alex Young54min: Delap is replaced by Joao Pedro, who makes his Chelsea debut.
PALMEIRAS GOAL!
03:15 , Alex Young53min: Woah, it had to be Estavao!
Almost out of nothing, the 18-year-old beats Sanchez from the tightest of angles!
He celebrates, as he should, scoring against his future club.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
03:13 , Alex Young50min: Cucurella is guilty of another foul. He will miss the semi-final if booked.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
03:12 , Alex Young49min: Chelsea have not started well. Plenty of needless fouls which are giving Palmeiras the chance to send the ball into dangerous areas.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
03:08 , Alex Young46min: Early chance for Bruno Fuchs, who meets a deep cross but cannot head at Sanchez’s goal.
Second half
03:07 , Alex Young46min: Back underway!
There’s been a fireworks display at half-time in Philadelphia. Here come the players for the second half.
Joao Pedro surely gets a run out tonight after that Delap booking. Jackson would start the semi-final, you’d imagine, but Pedro needs minutes sooner rather than later.
That yellow card for Delap means he will miss the semi-final, should Chelsea get there.
Half-time!
02:50 , Alex Young48min: Delap is booked for more argy-bargy, and there’s the whistle.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:48 , Alex Young46min: Two minutes added on.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:47 , Alex Young45min: Cucurella is pushed over by Torres, but no sign of a card. It’s threatening to get feisty as half-time approaches.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:44 , Alex Young42min: Neto has been great this evening but switches off in defence and almost lets Palmeiras score.
He’s nowhere to be seen as a cross to sent to the back post and Martínez’s header is saved by Sanchez.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:43 , Alex Young41min: Gusto is the first player booked, for a late tackle which looked a bit like a slip.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:40 , Alex Young38min: Oh my, Allan looks certain to slot home but somehow his shot sends the ball behind him with the goal at his mercy just six yards out. The offside flag somewhat saves his blushes.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:37 , Alex Young36min: Fernandez goes in late on Estavao.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:36 , Alex Young34min: That is so bad from Nkunku. He is in acres of space, inside the area, with the goal gaping and just bends a shot 20 yards over the bar.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:35 , Alex Young33min: Neto and Palmer link up beautifully again but the latter cannot find Delap inside the area, so the move break down.
Neto playing really well.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:32 , Alex Young30min: Delap doesn’t half like throwing himself into tackles.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:30 , Alex Young28min: Weverton is down and looks to need some attention from the physios, but is soon back on his feet.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:26 , Alex Young25min: It should be 2-0 to Chelsea, as Neto gets to the byline and drills a pass back across goal but Delap doesn’t act quick enough for the tap in.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:25 , Alex Young23min: Estevao introduces himself to Colwill by fouling him, and then gets a telling off from Cucurella for it.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:22 , Alex Young21min: Wave after wave. Now Nkunku tees up Fernandez for a strike at goal which is straight down the keeper’s throat.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:21 , Alex Young20min: Cross whipped in, sent back out and Cucurella meets on the volley.
Palmeiras 0-1 Chelsea
02:20 , Alex Young19min: Chelsea win a corner, straight back on the attack.
CHELSEA GOAL!
02:20 , Alex Young17min: That’s better!
Palmer is this time found in space, spinning onto the ball to take it away from one before holding off two more challenges and then slotting inside the far post.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:18 , Alex Young16min: Argh, that’s poor from Gusto! He did so well to create space on the right and then had Palmer to play into the area but his pass is nowhere near.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:16 , Alex Young14min: Bit of argy-bargy between Fernandez, Delap and some Palmeiras players. Delap seemed to give one a shove.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:13 , Alex Young11min: Sanchez claims the corner.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:12 , Alex Young10min: Estavao is certainly in the mood to impress and not fazed by the prospect of facing what is essentially his parent club.
He wins a corner off Cucurella.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:09 , Alex Young7min: Rios runs 30, 40, 50 yards down the left flank before trying to cut inside and pick out a team-mate in the centre... and then being tackled.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:07 , Alex Young5min: Palmer stings Weverton’s palms from the edge of the area, and almost gets a second bite of the apple but he quickly closed down.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:05 , Alex Young3min: Neto, you feel, will want to score tonight, and he almost does with a fine bit of skill to take him into the Palmeiras box before being crowded out.
Palmeiras 0-0 Chelsea
02:04 , Alex Young2min: Fuchs has a pop from just inside the area, but the ball cannons off Cucurella’s legs.
Kick-off
02:03 , Alex Young1min: Up and running and Gusto immediately wins a corner.
Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez hold up a Chelsea shirt with the names of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva during a minute’s silence.
There is now a minute’s silence for Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre Silva.
Reece James has been injured in the warm-up.
A late change to the Chelsea starting XI as James is replaced by Andrey Santos.
Fireworks and the United States national anthem ahead of kick-off. It is Independence Day, after all.
Final prep from both teams ahead of kick-off.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Arsene Wenger are both in attendance.
A win for Chelsea today is worth around £15million, having already earned upwards of £40m for their exploits Stateside.
That’ll help pay for their UEFA fine.
James criticises state of Club World Cup pitches
01:37 , Alex YoungChelsea captain Reece James has questioned the standard of the pitches being used at the Club World Cup.
The 25-year-old said: "It's obviously difficult, playing in the conditions, the climate, on pitches that are not as good as pitches in Europe.
"The ball goes 100 feet in the air and it bounces one metre up. It's not what we're used to. I feel you get a lot leggier quicker, playing on pitches that are not so good.
"It's not just for us, it's for everyone involved in the competition, but I think for the fans, for the people watching, it would be better quality if the pitches were more acclimatised for us."
It will be an emotional evening for Pedro Neto following the death of friend and Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota.
Chelsea fined for financial breaches
01:14 , Alex YoungIt’s been a tough week for Chelsea.
Yesterday they were fined almost £27million for breaching UEFA's financial sustainability regulations, European football's governing body has announced.
The Blues have been hit with a 20m euros (£17.3m) penalty for failing to comply with UEFA's football earnings rule, with a further 60m euros (£51.2m) payable if they do not achieve compliance inside the next four years, and have agreed to "a restriction on the registration of new players on their list A for UEFA club competitions".
They have also been fined 11m euros (£9.5m) for reporting a squad cost ratio - largely the proportion of their income paid out in wages - in excess of 80 per cent.
James on facing Estevao
01:03 , Alex YoungChelsea players and fans a like will get to see the incoming Estevao close up tonight.
The highly-rated young winger is set to join the Blues following the tournament, and the match may well be his last for the Verdão, though he could also condemn his new club to a premature flight home.
Captain Reece James is unbothered by the prospect of lining up opposite a future teammate, though: “I think it’s going to be more difficult for him than for us. This is probably one of his last games for Palmeiras.
“He’s a young player. We’re excited to have him. But when we are on the pitch, whilst we’re friends, we’re against him.”
Weather update
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:54 , Alex YoungAn important weather update of clear skies and zero chance of rain in Philly tonight.
I think I speak for everyone, this side of the pond and those watching across the globe, when I say: Phew!
Confirmed Palmeiras team news in full
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:50 , Alex YoungPalmeiras XI: Weverton, Giay, Micael, Fuchs, Vanderlan, Rios, Martinez, Estevao, Allan, Torres, Roque
Subs: Lomba, Oliveira, Naves, Benedetti, Rocha, Mayke, Veiga, Moreno, Evangelista, Anderson, Mauricio, Thalys, Lopez, Luighi, Paulinho
Palmeiras XI
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:47 , Alex Young...and their opponents!
Tá chegando a hora e eu tô escalado! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/88jXDPbtlK
— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) July 4, 2025
Confirmed Chelsea team news in full
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:46Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Palmer, Nkunku, Neto; Delap
Subs: Jorgensen, Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Aneselmino, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, George, Joao Pedro, Jackson, Guiu
Chelsea XI
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:42 , Alex YoungHere’s how the Blues look! Pedro Neto starts, Joao Pedro is on the bench.
Your CFC team news has dropped! 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/sh7JiBdXlc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 4, 2025
If you’re in the area and at a loose end tonight, good news: tickets for this game are as little as $11.
FIFA have slashed the prices of tickets to get more supporters through the door. The July 4th celebrations reportedly not helping today’s game.
Still, Palmeiras fans do not appear deterred.
Pedro Neto has arrived with the Chelsea squad.
Will Joao Pedro make his debut?
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:25 , Alex YoungEnzo Maresca has left the door open.
Maresca said: "Joao's situation is a bit strange or different because he was on holiday. Even if he was working it is not the same when you work for yourself, compared with when you work with the team.
"But we are very happy with Joao. In the last two days he worked with us. We'll see if we need him and if we have a chance to give him some minutes we're going to give him some minutes."
Neto could sit out tonight's game
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:15 , Alex YoungPedro Neto could miss Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras following the death of his fellow Portugal international Diogo Jota.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: "It's a very sad day. I struggle to find words because it's very difficult, the feeling that you have is of helplessness in this kind of situation.
"The only thing I can say is all my love to his family, the people in this moment. It's a big tragedy for them.
"In terms of Pedro it is very sad, probably more than sad.
"It's completely Pedro's decision. I had a chat with Pedro and we support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one.
"It doesn't matter if he'll be on the pitch or not. We'll see how he is feeling but, in any case, we're going to support him."
Fluminense for the victors
Saturday 5 July 2025 00:03 , Alex YoungMatheus Martinelli and substitute Hercules struck as Brazilian side Fluminense advanced to the Club World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Martinelli fired into the top corner after finding some room in the box following Gabriel Fuentes' cutback five minutes before half-time although they were quickly pegged back in Orlando.
While Al-Hilal were denied a penalty by VAR, Marcos Leonardo struck from close range following a corner in the 51st minute for his fourth goal of the tournament.
But Hercules, who came off the bench to guarantee Fluminense's win over Inter Milan last time out, struck in the 70th minute as the super-sub fired low into the net after his initial shot was blocked.
Fluminense will next take on either Chelsea or Palmeiras in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Palmeiras vs Chelsea prediction
Friday 4 July 2025 23:53 , Alex YoungAs the sole remaining English representative, Chelsea seem to be finding their feet at the right time and are showing signs of being serious contenders.
Yes, they have already lost to Brazilian opponents in this competition and will be without their best midfielder in Caicedo, but they possess a superior attacking threat and so should prove to be too strong for Palmeiras.
Chelsea are favourites, but don’t expect the floodgates to open, as Palmeiras are expected to remain resolute.
Chelsea to win, 2-1
Early Palmeiras team news
Friday 4 July 2025 23:45 , Alex YoungEstevao is available to face the club he will join after the tournament. The wonderkid has been in scintillating form this tournament, earning two player of the match awards in Palmeiras’ first two fixtures.
Gustavo Gomez will also be unavailable after being sent-off in extra-time in the last 16.
Early Chelsea team news
Friday 4 July 2025 23:37 , Alex YoungChelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has emerged as a doubt for tonight, however, Joao Pedro could be handed a debut.
Pedro completed his £60m transfer from Brighton earlier in the week, and has been added to the Blues’ squad having been signed before the new registration deadline.
The Brazilian trained with his new teammates on Wednesday but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench as fellow summer signing Liam Delap is expected to lead the line once again.
This is despite Nicolas Jackson being available for selection after serving a two-match ban for his red card in the group stage loss to Flamengo - Chelsea’s only loss in the tournament so far.
Cole Palmer is expected to offer support to Delap from out wide, although Pedro Neto may miss the showdown as he is under no pressure to play following the death of his friend Diogo Jota.
However, there is a decision to make regarding Enzo Fernandez’s role against the Brazilians.
As Moises Caicedo is absent due to suspension after he picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the extra-time win over Benfica, the Argentine could drop deeper especially as Lavia is a doubt.
Alternatively, Maresca could keep Fernandez high up and turn to captain Reece James in central midfield like he has done previously.
In defence, Benoit Badiashile limped off against Benfica and was later spotted on crutches, making him a major doubt for the quarter-final showdown with Trevoh Chalobah on standby to partner Levi Colwill.
How to watch Palmeiras vs Chelsea
Friday 4 July 2025 23:31 , Alex YoungTV 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 1am BST ahead of a 2am kick-off on Saturday July 5, 2025.
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.
Good evening
Friday 4 July 2025 23:27 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Palmeiras vs Chelsea in the Club World Cup quarter-finals!
The Blues will hope for a quicker result than that of their round of 16 meeting with Benfica, which lasted close to five hours.
A spot in the semi-finals is on the line. Stick around for minute-by-minute updates and team news as soon as it drops!
