Chelsea Narrowly Defeats Palmeiras in Dramatic FIFA Club World Cup Quarter-Final

Jul, 5 2025

Chelsea Clinches Hard-Fought Win Over Palmeiras

On July 4, 2025, Chelsea battled their way to a 2-1 win against Palmeiras at Lincoln Financial Field in a gripping FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final. The victory didn’t come easily. The Blues, guided by Mauricio Pochettino, kept their hopes alive for a first-ever FIFA Club World Cup crown, but Palmeiras made them sweat every minute of the encounter.

The game burst into life thanks to Cole Palmer. The young forward dazzled the crowd with a solo run, dribbling past defenders and finding the net with ice-cold composure. His goal set the tone, showing Chelsea’s attacking intent from the start.

But Palmeiras, the storied Brazilian side, weren’t rattled. They responded with fierce energy. Gustavo Estevez took a crack at goal, and luck tilted his way when his shot ricocheted off Malo Gusto, leaving Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez stranded. Suddenly, the match was wide open again, with both benches roaring instructions and urging on their squads.

The tension grew as each team searched for an advantage. Chelsea’s flair matched Palmeiras’ slick counter-attacks. Vanderlan rampaged down the left, whipping in dangerous crosses. Endrick, Palmeiras’ wonderkid, kept the Blues’ defenders guessing. Meanwhile, the Brazilian goalkeeper Weverton pulled off a string of impressive saves, tipping efforts from Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling to safety and keeping Palmeiras’ hopes alive well into the second half.

Late Drama and Key Moments

The decisive moment unfolded deep into the second half. Enzo Fernández, quickly becoming Chelsea’s midfield engine, fired a cross into the Palmeiras box. It pinballed awkwardly, striking Malo Gusto again—unlucky for him—before weaseling past Weverton. The Brazilian shot-stopper could only watch as the ball slid across the line, giving Chelsea the edge they desperately needed. Fans could sense the tension as every Chelsea player rushed back, determined to cling to their lead.

For Palmeiras, the night brought frustration. They’d pressed hard and looked dangerous on the break, but couldn’t conjure a second equalizer. Vanderlan threatened with a late volley, and Endrick had a header flick narrowly wide. Chelsea dug deep, showing cohesion and discipline in defense to shut down those last waves of Palmeiras pressure.

This quarter-final carried a sense of déjà vu. Just four years prior, Chelsea and Palmeiras clashed in the 2021 Intercontinental Cup final—a contest Chelsea also edged. The rivalry added an extra kick to the match, with both sets of fans reliving those memories under the stadium lights.

This result pushes Chelsea forward into a high-stakes semi-final against Fluminense at MetLife Stadium, set for July 8. It will be Chelsea’s first Club World Cup appearance at this American venue, and with a potential final awaiting on July 13, the pressure is ratcheting up. The Blues are buzzing for that shot at world glory, aiming to finally earn the FIFA Club World Cup trophy that’s long evaded them.