A 3-1 defeat to CR Flamengo in their second group stage match was a defining moment for Chelsea FC in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. The Blues had been gutted for three second half goals by the high-flying Brazilians and suddenly were staring elimination in the face going into their group finale.
Since then, the Chelsea defence has flourished, yielding just two goals in their next four matches and recording two clean sheets. A 3-0 blanking of against Espérance to close out the group was followed by 4-1 and 2-1 knockout round victories against SL Benfica and Palmeiras respectively, before an emphatic 2-0 result against Fluminense FC in Tuesday’s semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.
“You can see that throughout the tournament we had difficult moments,” said Pedro Neto to FIFA. “We had difficult moments in terms of controlling the game, so we knew the way to control things was with the defence, and we did a really good job. We are improving a lot in that area, being more experienced in these kinds of moments, and we are really happy to be in the final. We’ll continue to work and hope to win it.”
Watch live and free on DAZN
Perhaps no play embodies Chelsea’s defensive spirit more than Marc Cucurella’s astounding goal-line clearance in the first half against Fluminense. The Brazilian side looked set to equalise when Hercules’ shot slipped past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, only for the Spanish full-back to come flying to the rescue.
“It’s something that just runs through the team, to not concede that goal, to try to keep a clean sheet,” said centre-back Trevoh Chalobah to FIFA. “If everyone on the team is like this and has that type of mentality, we can go far. Obviously the goal clearance from Cucurella was amazing, and the hunger and fight we show is what’s needed from a team in a tournament like this.”
Fluminense winger Jhon Arias enjoyed a tournament for the ages, winning Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match honours in three different matches to help power his side to the final four.
But Tuesday proved to be a frustrating one for the Colombian, who was never allowed to find the time and space deep in the Chelsea half to do any damage.
Tickets
“We came into the game knowing how Arias was going to play and the problems he and their team can cause,” said Chalobah. “As they say, attackers win games but defence wins titles and tournaments, so it’s important that we celebrate when we’re scoring but also when we’re defending.”
The defensive efforts delivered since the Flamengo defeat have Chelsea dreaming of a world championship. Standing in the way will be one of the winners of the last two UEFA Champions Leagues, Real Madrid C.F. or Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea are relishing reaching the decider, and they know they have the goods to win it.
“It feels amazing. From day one that was our goal, to reach the final, and now we’ve done it,” said Chalobah. “So we don’t stop here; we get ready and focus for the next game, but it’s an amazing feeling to go through.”
“We’re more than ready to lift the trophy,” said Neto. “But I think we need to just focus on ourselves and then see what happens in the final. We are really hopeful that we can win it.”
