Within touching distance. One win away from being world champions. A cup run that’s so Chelsea that you can only sit back and smile. The goalscorer yesterday was someone that arrived at the club barely a week ago. And on his debut, gifted us all with two spectacular goals to send his boyhood club packing and the Blues straight to the final. What a story. And what a privilege to have been able to capture Chelsea’s road to the final over the past month. Sunday can’t come soon enough.

Photography by: Peter Bonilla

João Pedro didn’t just announce himself to Chelsea fans on Tuesday—he made sure the whole world was watching.

In just his first start for the club, the 23-year-old Brazilian striker delivered two stunning goals to lead Chelsea past Fluminense 2-0 and into the FIFA Club World Cup final. The result ended the run of his boyhood club, whose hopes of global glory were undone by one of their own.

“I can’t just say sorry, but I have to be professional,” João Pedro said post-match. “I play for Chelsea. They pay me to score goals—and today I was happy to do that.”

Chelsea will face Real Madrid, who defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the other semifinal, in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium.

João Pedro came through Fluminense’s youth system and made 25 appearances in Brazil’s top flight before heading to England in 2019. His journey—from Watford to Brighton to a £60 million move to Chelsea last week—came full circle on Tuesday in front of over 70,000 fans in New Jersey.

And it didn’t take long for him to make his mark.

In the 18th minute, Pedro recovered possession in midfield, started the attack, and then found himself on the edge of the box after a deflected clearance. With two quick touches, he curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the far corner, past a diving Fábio. Respectfully, he held his celebration—hands raised in apology.

His second, in the 56th minute, was even more audacious. Picking up a pass from Enzo Fernández after a fluid counter-attack, Pedro dribbled into the area, cut inside a defender, and rifled a shot off the underside of the crossbar. It was a goal dripping in quality—and one that effectively sealed the match.

Despite the scoreline, Fluminense weren’t without their chances. Just eight minutes after Chelsea’s opener, Hércules nearly equalized, only for Marc Cucurella to make a goal-line clearance. Later, a penalty awarded for a handball by Trevoh Chalobah was overturned after VAR ruled the defender’s arm position natural.

Renato Gaúcho’s side showed flashes of threat in the second half, especially after shifting from a back five to a back four. But Chelsea, mature and composed, never lost control. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was called upon only once in the closing stages, turning away a drive from substitute Everaldo.

For Enzo Maresca and his team, the performance was not only dominant, but symbolic of a new Chelsea growing in confidence and identity. João Pedro’s emergence adds a potent weapon to their arsenal heading into Sunday’s final.

“It’s been a fantastic season,” Maresca said. “Top four in the Premier League, winning the [UEFA] Conference League, and now we’re in a Club World Cup final. One more game.”

One game. One trophy. And for João Pedro, one more chapter in a story that’s already rewriting itself in bold strokes.