Evening Standard
·8. Juli 2025
Chelsea player ratings vs Fluminense: Joao Pedro opens account as Pedro Neto shines again

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·8. Juli 2025
The summer signing opened his account with two stunning finishes
Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia
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Chelsea are through to the Club World Cup final after a comfortable 2-0 win over Fluminense in New Jersey.
Joao Pedro got both goals, one in each half, on his first Chelsea start as the Blues cruised home to victory.
Pedro's sumptuous curling effort broke the deadlock for Chelsea after 18 minutes and the Brazilian added a second just after half-time to make the game safe.
Sam Tabuteau rated the Chelsea players as they secured their place in Sunday's showpiece final.
Robert Sanchez 6
Comfortable throughout, though was grateful to Marc Cucurella for clearing Hercules's effort off the line. Picked up Chelsea's only booking of the game for time wasting.
Malo Gusto 6
Chelsea's dominance allowed Gusto to maraud forward and he came close to getting on the scoresheet on a couple of occasions. Solid defensively when called upon.
Trevoh Chalobah 6
The referee made the right decision not to penalise him for a handball in the penalty area midway through the first-half. Other than that he was rarely in the wars.
Tosin Adarabioyo 6
A figure of calm and composure. Helped Chelsea build from the back and reacted well whenever Fluminense threatened to break forward.
Marc Cucurella 7
His superb goalline clearance prevented Fluminense from equalising minutes after Pedro had given Chelsea the lead. Aggressive and assured as ever.
Enzo Fernandez 7
Kept things ticking over in the middle of the park and picked out a delightful ball to send Pedro racing clear for his second goal.
Moises Caicedo 7
Broke up play well and contributed to a dominant Chelsea display. Maresca will hope the injury he picked up in added time won't rule him out of Sunday's final.
Pedro Neto 8
Has been Chelsea's best performer during the Club World Cup, and he shone again tonight. Up against Fluminense's ageing backline, he found plenty of joy, scurrying into space at any given opportunity.
Pedro Neto was impressive for Chelsea once again
Getty Images
Cole Palmer 7
A few neat touches and inviting balls into the area. His determination to ferry the ball through a host of challenges opened up the space from which Pedro doubled Chelsea's lead.
Christopher Nkunku 6
Had a couple of inviting opportunities which he spurned. A more confident version of Nkunku gets himself on the scoresheet.
Looked right at home on his first Chelsea start. A superb curling effort broke the deadlock for the Blues, and he linked up well with Pedro Neto all night. Capped a fine performance with his and Chelsea's second after the break before being replaced by Nicolas Jackson.
Substitutes
Nicolas Jackson (Joao Pedro, 60’) 6
Came on for Pedro and failed to follow in his teammates' footsteps, failing to convert some presentable chances.
Reece James (Malo Gusto, 68’) 6
Shored things up with Chelsea already in the ascendancy. Given his injury record, all minutes are valuable minutes for James.
Noni Madueke (Pedro Neto, 68) 6
Was able to stretch his legs against a tired defence but didn't create an awful lot.
Andrey Santos (Enzo Fernandez, 86’) N/A
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Christopher Nkunku, 86) N/A
Not used: Jorgensen, Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, Sarr, Anselmino, George, Guiu