Chelsea secured their place in the Club World Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Palmeiras on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, saw a late own goal seal the win for the Premier League side after a tense battle.
Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 16th minute with a composed finish, giving his team an early advantage. However, Palmeiras fought back in the second half, with Estevao, a future Chelsea player, stunning the crowd with a brilliant equalizer in the 53rd minute. The 18-year-old's goal showcased his immense talent and gave the Brazilian side hope of progressing further in the tournament.
As the game seemed destined for extra time, Chelsea regained the lead in the 83rd minute through an unfortunate own goal. Malo Gusto's cross deflected twice before finding the back of the net, handing Chelsea a narrow but crucial victory. This result sets up a semi-final clash against Fluminense on Tuesday, July 8, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, praised his team's resilience after the match. "It was a tough game as we expected," he told DAZN. "We needed a lot of energy because we are at the end of our season, and they are at the beginning. I want to congratulate the players because they were very good."
Despite the win, Chelsea will face challenges in the semi-final, with key players Liam Delap and Levi Colwill suspended due to yellow card accumulation. However, Moises Caicedo will return after serving a one-game ban.
Estevao's performance against his future club was a highlight of the match, with the young forward becoming the second-youngest goalscorer in Club World Cup history. His talent left fans and teammates alike excited for his arrival at Chelsea.
Chelsea's victory continues their strong showing in the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting semi-final clash against Fluminense as they aim to lift the Club World Cup trophy.
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