The Brazilian side has shown that South American football is still a force to be reckoned with. Fluminense reached this stage after finishing second in Group F, and since then, they’ve pulled off two high-profile wins.
In the Round of 16, they stunned Europe’s runner-up Inter Milan with a convincing 2-0 victory. Then, in the quarterfinals, they took down surprise package Al-Hilal with a 2-1 scoreline, confirming their status as one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams. Keep an eye on Colombian midfielder Jhon Arias, a key playmaker for the Tricolor.
Chelsea’s preview
On the other side, Chelsea are taking this Club World Cup seriously. They advanced as second place in Group D, but since the knockout rounds began, they’ve looked sharp, focused and ruthless.
First, they crushed Benfica 4-1 in the Round of 16, then edged out Palmeiras 2-1 in the quarters. The standout for the Blues has been Brazilian star Pedro Neto, who’s already scored 3 goals and is eager to shine on home soil—against a team from his home country.
Key players to watch
Fluminense will need to weather the storm early and survive Chelsea’s initial pressure. Tactical discipline and ball control will be crucial if they want to keep the South American dream alive.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will aim to assert their physicality and depth. The message is clear: Europe still wants to prove its dominance on the global stage—and this semifinal is the perfect chance to do it.
Final thoughts
Both sides have strong arguments. Fluminense brings confidence from knocking out giants, while Chelsea boasts a deeper and more dynamic squad. It’s a clash of styles: heart and structure versus firepower and ambition.
There’s no room for mistakes. Only one team will move on to chase Club World Cup glory.
