BREAKING: Chelsea Qualify For 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Semi-final Against Fluminense
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Chelsea scored once in each half, including a late winner, to defeat Palmeiras 2-1 in their Club World Cup quarter-final encounter on Saturday morning.
The match, watched by over 65,000 fans at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium, saw the English Premier League side take the lead through Cole Palmer and score a late winner via own goal.
Estevao Willian, soon to be a Chelsea player, equalised for Palmeiras.
Liam Delap led the line for Chelsea, with the trio of Palmer, Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku behind him, while Palmeiras pinned their hopes on Estevao, their electrifying wonderkid.
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It took the Blues just 16 minutes to take the lead through Palmer, who produced an instinctive ball control from Trevor Chalobah’s pass which took him past two defenders before coldly slotting the ball into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Chelsea had over 70% possession in the first half but their control did not translate into more goals with Chalobah and Nkunku missing target from promising positions, while Palmeiras’ Vanderlan’s header was well saved as the Blues went into the break with their lone goal lead.
The Brazilians improved in the second period and drew level through Estevao’s brilliant finish from an impossible angle.
The 18-year-old controlled a pass, bought himself a yard of space on Levi Colwill towards the byline, but he smashed a surprise shot into the roof of the net for 1-1.
The evenly poised encounter got a late twist in the 83rd minute, and it was Chelsea who profited from it as Malo Gusto’s cross took a deflection off Agustin Giay before bouncing over Weverton, Palmeiras keeper, and into the net for 2-1 Chelsea lead.
The London side saw out the game and victory advanced Enzo Maresca’s side into the semi-final of the money-spinning tournament where they will meet Fluminense.
The Brazilian club defeated Al Hilal, who shocked Man City in the round of 16, 2-1 in the earlier quarter-final match.
Chelsea and Fluminense will square off at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Tuesday.
