New Delhi: Joao Pedro’s wonderful brace against his former club Fluminense lifted Chelsea into the FIFA Club World Cup final.
On his first start for his new club, Pedro’s superb strikes in the 18th and the 56th minute broke the hearts of his boyhood side at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Developed through Fluminense youth system, Pedro single handedly ended Brazilian hopes in the competition to set up an all-European title clash against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
Not much was there to separate the two sides till Pedro put Chelsea on the lead. Pedro Neto snatched possession near the halfway line and moved forward quickly and after interception from Thiago Silva, the ball landed at Joao Pedro’s feet.
With his right foot, Pedro then curled the ball away from the clutches of a helpless Fabio into the far cormer to score one of the goals of the tournament.
Fluminense’s response was positive and then came close to equalising twice as the opening half progressed.