In a high-stakes Club World Cup semi-final, Premier League heavyweights Chelsea take on South America’s last standing contender, Fluminense, on Tuesday — with a coveted place in the final on the line.
Chelsea edged past Palmeiras in a tense quarter-final, while Fluminense pulled off a shock upset over Asian giants Al-Hilal, setting up a blockbuster clash in New Jersey.
The Blues arrive riding a wave of momentum, having lifted a European trophy and secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. They've won four of five tournament games en route to the semis, including a hard-fought extra-time victory over Benfica in the last 16.
Their quarter-final triumph over Palmeiras was sealed with Cole Palmer’s opener and a deflected own goal from Agustin Giay — enough to hold off a spirited reply from future Chelsea star Estevao. Despite finishing second in Group D after a 3-1 loss to Flamengo, Chelsea benefited from a more favorable knockout path, avoiding several European giants.
Having lifted the Club World Cup trophy in 2021 — also against Palmeiras — Chelsea now stand on the brink of another final. Fresh off their Conference League success, they're chasing a rare double on American soil. Manager Enzo Maresca has steadied the ship after a shaky mid-season spell, and his side now prepares for a familiar face: former defensive talisman Thiago Silva, now leading Fluminense’s back line.
But Fluminense aren't just here to make up the numbers.
The Rio-based club stunned Al-Hilal in the quarter-finals with a gritty 2-1 victory. Martinelli opened the scoring with a stunning strike, before Marcos Leonardo bagged his fourth of the tournament to equalize. Super-sub Hercules — fresh from heroics against Inter Milan — sealed the win with a clinical finish, while 44-year-old keeper Fabio delivered key saves to protect the lead.
After finishing second in Group F — thanks to a win over Ulsan HD and a pair of goalless draws — Fluminense are now unbeaten in 11 matches, with five clean sheets in their last seven.
Notably, four of their eight goals in the U.S. have come after the 70th minute, and their Thiago Silva-led defense has conceded just one second-half goal all tournament. The reigning Copa Libertadores champions may not be Brazil’s top domestic side — they narrowly avoided relegation last season and currently sit sixth in the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro — but they’ve embraced the underdog role with grit and resilience.
With manager Renato Gaucho recently joining an elite club of Fluminense coaches with 100 wins, the Tricolor stand just two matches away from global glory.
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