Chelsea advanced to the final of the Club World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense, thanks to a brace from new signing Joao Pedro.
The 23-year-old forward, making his full debut, opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a superb curled effort after Fluminense defender Thiago Silva failed to clear a cross from Pedro Neto.
Pedro doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 56th minute, smashing a powerful shot in off the bar to cap off an impressive performance against the club he supported as a boy.
The win at the sweltering MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — where temperatures soared to 35°C — ensures Chelsea will collect an additional £22 million in prize money, taking their tournament earnings to £82 million so far.
That total could rise to nearly £100 million if they win the final. Joao Pedro, signed for £55 million from Brighton last week, already looks to be repaying part of his transfer fee with a match-winning display that also earned him the official Man of the Match award.
Chelsea were dominant throughout, with Christopher Nkunku going close on multiple occasions. At the other end, Marc Cucurella made a vital goal-line clearance to deny Hercules, while substitute Everaldo was denied by a smart save.
Fluminense may feel aggrieved after French referee Francois Letexier overturned his own decision to award a first-half penalty for a handball by Trevoh Chalobah following a VAR review. But the Premier League side looked in control once they took the lead.
There was one sour note for Chelsea as midfielder Moises Caicedo appeared to injure his ankle in stoppage time and had to leave the pitch before the final whistle.
Chelsea will now prepare for Sunday’s final at the same venue, where they will face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
Fluminense, meanwhile, will turn their focus back to domestic action with upcoming fixtures against Mirassol and Cruzeiro.