By Sachit Subba • Football • Jul 09, 2025 01:22 AM • 86 views
On a sweltering evening in New Jersey, João Pedro lit up the MetLife Stadium with a performance that announced his arrival in Chelsea blue — and broke the hearts of the club that first believed in him.
The 23-year-old Brazilian forward, making his full debut for Chelsea, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over boyhood club Fluminense to send the Premier League giants into the Club World Cup final. In a match played under oppressive heat, Pedro's brilliance proved the difference — and a painful reminder to Fluminense of the gem they once nurtured.
Signed just last week from Brighton & Hove Albion for £60 million, Pedro wasted no time justifying his hefty price tag. His opener in the 18th minute was a curling masterpiece from the edge of the area — a strike that kissed the top corner and left goalkeeper Fabio helpless. Out of respect, Pedro chose not to celebrate, acknowledging his roots in Fluminense's academy, where he first made headlines at the age of 17.
"It's a strange feeling," Pedro admitted post-match. "I dreamed of moments like this growing up. But to do it against Fluminense… I have nothing but love for that club. It shaped who I am."
For Chelsea, this was about more than sentiment. Manager Enzo Maresca, whose first season in charge has already seen a top-four Premier League finish and a Conference League title, hailed the squad's mentality.
"I'm proud of everything — the team, the staff, the journey," Maresca said. "We've got one more mountain to climb on Sunday. But João… João showed exactly why we brought him in."
The match was played in punishing conditions, with the mercury soaring above 35°C and humidity stifling both teams. The National Weather Service had issued a heat warning earlier in the day, and it was evident in the players' heavy legs and frequent hydration breaks. Still, Chelsea started with control, probing a deep Fluminense back line. The Brazilian side, fresh off stunning Inter Milan and Al-Hilal in earlier rounds, sat compact and disciplined, hoping to strike on the counter. They nearly did in the 38th minute when Hercules slipped into the box after a slick one-two with German Cano, only for Marc Cucurella to clear off the line heroically. Fluminense believed they had a lifeline when referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot after Trevoh Chalobah was judged to have handled the ball. But a quick VAR check overturned the decision, to the dismay of the thousands of Brazilian supporters in the stands. Pedro would have the final say. In the 56th minute, Enzo Fernandez threaded a clever ball through Fluminense's lines. Pedro took it in stride, danced past a scrambling Ignacio, and thundered his finish in off the underside of the crossbar — a strike as emphatic as it was symbolic.
From Rio to London, via Watford and Brighton, João Pedro's rise has been meteoric. But it was here, under a blistering New Jersey sky, where he truly arrived on the global stage.
Chelsea now awaits the winner of Wednesday's heavyweight clash between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be a blockbuster Club World Cup final on Sunday.
And if João Pedro's full debut was any indication, the Blues might just have found their new talisman.
