2-0 against Fluminense: Chelsea reach the final of the Club World Cup

A striker trained at Fluminense, of all people, led Chelsea to the Club World Cup final with two stunning goals. And after the Premier League club from London's 2-0 (1-0) victory with match-winner João Pedro, it's already clear ahead of the second semifinal between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN) that the first Club World Cup champion in the new tournament format with 32 participants will come from Europe.

João Pedro made the story of the match in front of 70,556 spectators at MetLife Stadium outside New York in the scorching afternoon sun. The 23-year-old virtually single-handedly decided the match. In the 18th minute, the brilliant Brazilian scored a stunning goal with a fine curling shot from around 20 meters. The 44-year-old Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio was powerless. In the 56th minute, Chelsea's new striker followed up with a powerful shot under the crossbar after a fine move.

After a brief celebration, the striker raised his hands apologetically, having worn the jersey of the Rio de Janeiro club as a youth. At the age of 18, he moved from Fluminense to Europe. It was also only his second appearance in a Chelsea shirt after signing from Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea FC paid €70 million for his services.

He came on as a substitute in the quarterfinals against Palmeiras. João Pedro's brace was worth at least $30 million to Chelsea, as that's the prize money for reaching the final. A World Cup triumph would earn the FIFA bonus as high as $40 million.

The Conference League winners from England, with former Leipzig player Christopher Nkunku having a good header, were the deserved winners. Chelsea needed a bit of luck when referee François Letexier of France overturned a penalty after VAR intervention.

Defender Trevoh Chebolah's hand was hit by the ball after a free kick. But it was "not an unnatural arm position," said Letexier after viewing the video footage in the stadium.