Philadelphia, PA – July 5, 2025 – Chelsea FC battled past a resilient Palmeiras side today, securing a 2-1 victory in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal match at Lincoln Financial Field. The hard-fought win sees the Blues advance to the semifinals, where they will face fellow Brazilian giants Fluminense in what promises to be a captivating encounter.
Match Recap
The game kicked off with Chelsea looking to assert their dominance early on, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 16th minute. Cole Palmer, showcasing his growing influence, weaved past defenders with a clever touch before slotting a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner, giving Chelsea the lead. The first half largely saw Chelsea in control, creating several opportunities and limiting Palmeiras' attacking threat.
However, the second half saw a revitalized Palmeiras emerge. The Brazilian champions pushed forward with more intent, and their persistence paid off in the 53rd minute. In a moment of pure brilliance, Estêvão, the highly-touted youngster who is set to join Chelsea in the summer, unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle that rocketed off the crossbar and into the net, leveling the score and sending the Palmeiras faithful into a frenzy.
The match became a tense affair, with both teams searching for the decisive goal. Just when it seemed destined for extra time, Chelsea found a fortuitous winner in the 83rd minute. A cross-shot from Malo Gusto from the left side of the box took a deflection off a Palmeiras defender and then agonizingly trickled off the arm of goalkeeper Weverton before finding its way into the net. The goal was officially credited as an own goal by Weverton.
Palmeiras threw everything forward in the dying minutes, but Chelsea's defense, albeit a bit rattled, held firm to clinch a crucial victory.
Goal Scorers
Chelsea FC:
Cole Palmer (16')
Weverton (OG, 83')
Palmeiras:
Estêvão (53')
Head-to-Head: A Familiar Foe
This quarterfinal clash marked the second-ever official meeting between Chelsea and Palmeiras. Their previous encounter was the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup Final, where Chelsea emerged victorious with a 2-1 win after extra time, thanks to a Kai Havertz penalty. Today's result means Chelsea maintains their perfect record against the Brazilian side in competitive fixtures.
Man of the Match
While the winning goal was an own goal, Estêvão of Palmeiras was awarded the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match. Despite being on the losing side, his sensational equalizer and overall dazzling performance against his future club showcased his immense talent and left a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike.
Chelsea will now turn their attention to the semifinal, where they will face Fluminense on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, promising another thrilling South America vs. Europe showdown.