Chelsea beat Palmeiras 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup where they will face Fluminense.A late own goal off Palmeiras defender Agustin Giay lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 victory in Philadelphia, sending the Premier League side into the Club World Cup semifinals.
A shot by Chelsea’s Malo Gusto from the right side deflected off Palmeiras’ Richard Rios and Giay. Goalkeeper Weverton was unable to control the caroming ball before it went into the net.
Chelsea will play Fluminense on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Brazilian side defeated Al Hilal 2-1 earlier on Friday.
Palmeiras’ Weverton scores Chelsea second with an own goal [Susana Vera/Reuters]
Cole Palmer scored his first of the tournament in the 16th minute for Chelsea before Estevao, who will join Chelsea after the tournament, tied it in the 53rd minute.
Palmer had been criticised by the Chelsea fans for his lack of production despite leading the team in shots on goal during the tournament.
He proved his worth on the goal, taking a pass from Trevoh Chalobah and dribbling from just outside the box to 15 yards out before scoring with a left-footed strike.
“I’ve been working on … the shot in training. I just saw the space and went there,” Palmer told DAZN after the match.
“The manager just said to keep calm and do lots of passes, and we should be all right.”
Chelsea fans didn’t know whether to cheer or cry, however, when Estevao tied it with a brilliant, tight-angle shot for the equaliser.
Estevao of Palmeiras scores his team’s first goal past Robert Sanchez of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal [Carl Recine/FIFA via Getty Images]
He made a verbal agreement with Chelsea in …
