Overview

• João Pedro scored twice on his first start after joining from Brighton days earlier to power Chelsea’s 2-0 semifinal win over Fluminense.
• A penalty initially awarded to Fluminense was overturned after a VAR review by referee François Letexier.
• The semifinal at MetLife Stadium was contested under sweltering conditions of around 34 °C with heat indices exceeding 40 °C.
• Fluminense’s elimination as the last non-European side guaranteed an all-European showdown for the title.
• Chelsea’s victory made it the first team to secure a spot in the final of FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup.