Chelsea secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Brazilian side Palmeiras. The quarter-final match, held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, saw a late own goal from Palmeiras' Weverton seal the win for the English team.
The first half saw Chelsea take the lead through Cole Palmer in the 16th minute. Palmer, who had faced some criticism from fans for his prior performances, justified his selection with a fine left-footed strike from just outside the box.
Palmeiras, however, responded in the 53rd minute through Estevao, a player soon to join Chelsea. The young Brazilian's goal leveled the score and put the pressure back on Chelsea.
The game appeared headed for extra time, but a late surge from Chelsea resulted in the decisive own goal. A cross from Malo Gusto on the right side of the box was deflected by Palmeiras' Richard Rios and Agustin Giay, leaving goalkeeper Weverton unable to prevent the ball from going into the net. The goal was ultimately credited as an own goal by Weverton.
Chelsea will now face another Brazilian team, Fluminense, in the semi-finals in New York City on July 8. Fluminense defeated Al Hilal 2-1 in their quarter-final match. The other semi-final will see either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich face either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea's progress to the semi-finals marks a significant step in their Club World Cup campaign. The team had a shaky group stage but demonstrated their quality with a 4-1 victory over Benfica in the round of 16 before overcoming Palmeiras. With new signings like Joao Pedro bolstering their attacking options, Chelsea will be hoping to continue their momentum and compete for the title.
The victory over Palmeiras was hard-fought, and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had prepared his team for a tough encounter. He emphasized the importance of winning, knowing there would be no second chances. Maresca has utilized his squad throughout the tournament, giving playing time to many players.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 features a new format and includes teams from across the globe. Chelsea's participation in the tournament reflects their status as one of Europe's top clubs, and they will be aiming to add another trophy to their collection.
