Chelsea defeated Palmeiras 2-1 to secure their place in the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Cole Palmer opened the scoring in the first half, Estevao leveled early in the second half, and near the end, the Blues regained the lead thanks to Malo Gusto’s goal, aided by a deflection off Giay that caught goalkeeper Weverton off guard. Chelsea will now face Fluminense in the semifinals.
In the first half, Chelsea clearly dominated their opponents. Palmer’s opener set the tone, and the English side created several chances to extend their lead. However, strong saves from goalkeeper Weverton and some missed opportunities kept the margin slim.
After the break, the momentum shifted dramatically. Palmeiras pushed forward and found ways to trouble their rivals. Estevao scored the equalizer with an impressive right-footed strike, reigniting hope for the Brazilian side.
But late in the match, Chelsea struck the decisive blow: Malo Gusto delivered a cross that deflected slightly off Giay, leaving Weverton unable to stop the ball from crossing the line. This win sends the Blues into the Club World Cup semifinals, where they will meet Fluminense.
