Chelsea Advance with Narrow Win Over Palmeiras
Aw8 Sg – In a closely contested quarter-final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea booked their place in the semifinals with a 2–1 victory over Brazilian side Palmeiras on July 4. The result came after an early opener from Cole Palmer and a dramatic conclusion involving a late own goal that decided the outcome in Chelsea’s favor.
The match, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, was not short on tension, although it lacked sustained attacking fluency from either side. Palmeiras, the Copa Libertadores champions, proved a disciplined and technically sound opponent. Chelsea, representing the UEFA contingent, were made to work for every inch of space in a game that could have gone either way.
Early Lead Sets the Tone
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea started brightly. Within 12 minutes, they found the breakthrough. Midfielder Enzo Fernández spotted a gap in the Palmeiras back line and slipped a ball through to Cole Palmer, who timed his run perfectly. With just the keeper to beat, Palmer slotted the ball calmly into the bottom right corner.
It was a composed finish from the 23-year-old forward, who continues to grow in confidence after a strong domestic season. Palmer’s movement off the ball and his positional awareness stood out early on, especially against a defense known for its compact structure.
Following the goal, Chelsea looked in control but did not press aggressively. Instead, they focused on keeping possession and waiting for openings. Palmeiras responded by tightening their midfield and increasing their pressing intensity, making it difficult for Chelsea to build play from the back.
Palmeiras Respond with Well-Timed Equalizer
As the game progressed, Palmeiras began to assert themselves, particularly through the left flank where teenager Estevão Willian—already drawing comparisons to Brazil’s top young talents—was constantly probing Chelsea’s right side.
The equalizer came just before the hour mark. Following a series of passes in midfield, Rony drifted inside from the left and played a quick one-two with Raphael Veiga. The ball then found Estevão at the top of the box, and the 18-year-old didn’t hesitate. He fired a curling effort past Robert Sánchez into the top corner, leveling the match at 1–1.
It was a moment of high quality, and Palmeiras deserved credit for their patience and buildup. Estevão’s goal marked his second of the tournament and reinforced his growing reputation in South American football circles.
Tactical Caution and the Turning Point
After the equalizer, both managers opted for a more conservative approach. Chelsea introduced Conor Gallagher and Axel Disasi to stabilize the midfield and right side of the defense. Palmeiras, too, made adjustments, including the introduction of midfielder Richard Ríos to control possession and limit Chelsea’s counterattacks.
The final phase of the match saw limited clear-cut chances, but it was Chelsea who would ultimately benefit from a fortunate break. In the 87th minute, following a corner delivered by Ben Chilwell, a looping header from Wesley Fofana was inadvertently deflected into the net by Palmeiras defender Gustavo Gómez.
The own goal was a cruel twist for the Brazilian side, who had matched Chelsea throughout the 90 minutes. Replays showed that Gómez, under pressure from Nicolas Jackson, had no time to react as the ball glanced off his shin and wrong-footed goalkeeper Weverton.
Chelsea Hold On to Progress
In the final minutes, Palmeiras pushed forward in search of another equalizer. They nearly found one through substitute Breno Lopes, whose header from a tight angle was palmed away by Sánchez. Chelsea, however, remained disciplined and saw out the remaining time without major incident.
The 2–1 victory puts Chelsea into the semifinals where they are set to face Fluminense—another Brazilian side—who defeated Al-Hilal earlier in the week.
Post-Match Reaction
Speaking after the match, Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged the quality of the opposition.
“Palmeiras were very organized. We knew this would be a challenge. I think we managed the key moments well, even if we didn’t dominate for long stretches,” Pochettino said.
He praised the contribution of Palmer and the resilience of the squad, particularly in the final 15 minutes.
Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira, meanwhile, was reflective in his post-match comments:
“I’m proud of how we played. We didn’t deserve to lose in that manner, but football has those moments. Our focus now shifts to the Copa Libertadores.”
Looking Ahead
For Chelsea, the match serves as a reminder that the Club World Cup—expanded to feature 32 teams in its new format—will test even the most seasoned European clubs. The English side were not at their free-flowing best but showed enough tactical maturity to advance.
Their next opponent, Fluminense, will pose a unique challenge. Known for their methodical style and defensive resilience, the Rio de Janeiro club will aim to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm. Given the hot and humid conditions forecast for the semifinal in Atlanta, fitness and squad depth could become deciding factors.
Palmeiras exit the tournament with their heads held high, having pushed one of Europe’s top sides to the limit. Their combination of youth and tactical flexibility will serve them well in future continental competitions.
Match Summary:
- Chelsea 2 – 1 Palmeiras
- Goals: Cole Palmer (12′), Gustavo Gómez (87′ OG); Estevão Willian (58′)
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Attendance: 67,500 (approx.)
- Man of the Match: Cole Palmer
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