A wonderful double from Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the Fifa Club World Cup final with victory over Fluminense.
Having sealed his £60million move Brighton last week, Pedro came off the bench in the quarter-final victory over Palmeiras last weekend.
With Liam Delap suspended, the Brazil international was rewarded with a starting role on Tuesday night with Nicolas Jackson left among the subs.
Against the club he made his professional debut for, Pedro repaid his manager’s faith with a sublime opener after 18 minutes, curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
Against his boyhood club, Pedro opted not to celebrate – not even when he added a stunning second in the second-half.
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Chelsea pounced on the counter, with Pedro again found in space down the inside left channel. Cutting inside, he let fly with a venomous effort that crashed off the underside of the cross bar before crossing the line.
Pedro was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge from a frustrated Fluminense defender before he was replaced on the hour mark.
There was also a scare late on for Moises Caicedo, who limped off to receive treatment on his ankle before returning to the pitch to complete the game.
After navigating their way through the group stages of the Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca’s side fought past Benfica and Palmeiras to reach the final four.
Having sent Fluminense home, Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid now await in the final.
Joao Pedro finally the answer up front for Chelsea?
Chelsea’s problems up top have been well-documented – the last time they had a striker who scored 20 or more goals in the league was Diego Costa in 2016-2017 season.
Nicolas Jackson has been an effective option the last two seasons with 24 in the Premier League in that time but there has been a clear and desperate need for more firepower. Glaring misses, not to mention daft red cards, have also undermined his progress.
Liam Delap has been brought into that, coming in to provide direct competition for Jackson in that no9 position.
But starting in that role tonight, Joao Pedro showed the sort of direct threat that has been missing.
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