Joao Pedro scored two goals in his first match as a starter for Chelsea, helping the team win 2-0 against Fluminense and advance to the Club World Cup final. The victory guarantees Chelsea a prize of around £80 million and the opportunity to compete for a jackpot exceeding £90 million in the final against Real Madrid or Paris St Germain.
Pedro, who recently joined Chelsea for £60 million from Brighton, showcased his talent by scoring in each half against his former club Fluminense in challenging conditions in New York.
Manager Enzo Maresca's decision to start Pedro paid off, as Chelsea overcame a resilient Fluminense side led by Thiago Silva. Despite the high temperature of 34C and being in their 63rd match of the season, Chelsea made a strong start with key contributions from players like Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto.
Neto set up Pedro's first goal with a precise pass, and Pedro's second goal came after a brilliant through-ball from Fernandez. Chelsea maintained their lead and secured the victory, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez making crucial saves when needed.
Though there was a scare with a potential penalty awarded to Fluminense, which was overturned after a VAR review, Chelsea controlled the game and sealed their win. The only downside was an injury to Moises Caicedo, but Chelsea closed out the match professionally.
Overall, it was a successful outing for Chelsea, with Pedro shining on his debut and guiding the team to the final of the Club World Cup.