Chelsea apologizes to Fluminense and advances to the Club World Cup final

A footballer born in Sao Paulo and with a past at Fluminense has awakened the Brazilian team from its Club World Cup dream. João Pedro, a recent signing from Chelsea who paid Brighton 65 million, upset the balance of an uneven match from the start, in which the Brazilians had their chances to equalize but ultimately fell to Maresca's balanced and sharp-minded team, who advanced to the final without too much trouble. PSG and Real Madrid will be their rivals (Wednesday, 9:00 PM, Dazn).

Renato Gaucho's team had put together a wonderful tournament that put Brazilian football back on the map. But in the 18th minute of the match, all plans were shattered. For the first time in the tournament, they were behind on the scoreboard. Pedro Neto, a lizard on the left, had already given warning with his dribbling and depth. One of those individual plays ended with a rejected cross that landed at the feet of Joao Pedro. His folha seca was unreachable for Fabio.

The 23-year-old Brazilian player trained at Fluminense and crossed the pond at 19 to venture into the Premier League . He served his military service at Watford, earned promotion at Brighton, and now joins the club with even greater aspirations. He scored and apologized to his former fans. The game was feeling hopeful, but things were going downhill for the Londoners.

Two goals with a message included João Pedro scored in the 18th minute from outside the area and sealed the win in the 56th minute with another great shot.

Fluminense proved to be a tricky team. Although they were at Chelsea 's mercy, they created danger when they strung together a few talented plays. In the 25th minute, Cucurella had to clear a ball off the line: Hércules' shot was poisonous. And in the 35th minute, the referee awarded a penalty for a Chelobah handball. At the request of VAR, he reviewed and corrected it. I believe it was a natural body position.

Read also Fluminense's success and Brazil's leap are no coincidence: "Before, they played for fun, now they play for winning." Gerard Fermín

With Ronaldo Nazario in the box and a raucous crowd, Fluminense got on Chelsea's nerves, but João Pedro quickly restored the logic. The Brazilians lost their balance and were unguarded in the second half, and their countryman and executioner appeared once again. A counterattack, a four-on-two, ended at the feet of the Brazilian, who this time shot inside the box, scoring a goal. The ball hit the crossbar and went in violently. Fluminense had had their moment. But the game was already in the English pocket.

The final half hour was a scramble in the New Jersey heat. Chelsea came close to a 3-0 lead, but Nkunku, Jackson, and Palmer weren't sharp. Caicedo left the match limping from his ankle. He continued playing, but we'll have to see how he develops ahead of the final in five days. PSG and Real Madrid are vying for that spot this Wednesday.