Fluminense and Chelsea meet this week at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a place in the Club World Cup final at stake. The fixture involves the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions and the 2025 UEFA Conference League winners, with the Brazilians in particular having navigated a demanding path to reach the last four.
Fluminense arrive in the semi-final as one of the tournament’s best stories. The Brazilian side, led by Renato Gaucho, have made a habit of defying expectations. After finishing second in their group behind Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense advanced with a 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the Round of 16, before edging Al Hilal 2-1 in the quarter-finals. Goals from Matheus Martinelli and Hercules proved decisive in a match where Fluminense were excellent defensively and efficient in front of goal, making the most of limited opportunities.
The squad is a nice blend of experience and youth. Thiago Silva, now 40 and a former Chelsea defender, has marshalled the back line like a true talisman, while goalkeeper Fábio, at the ripe age of 44, remains as reliable as ever. The midfield, bossed by Andre and Martinelli, has provided balance to the team, and the attack has found important contributions from German Cano and substitute Hercules. Fluminense’s campaign has been built on defensive organisation, tactical discipline, and a collective spirit that has seen them through tight contests.
However, the side will be without Martinelli and Juan Pablo Freytes due to suspension, forcing Gaucho into changes. Rene returns from his own ban and is expected to slot back into the defence. Fluminense’s approach is likely to remain pragmatic, focusing on structure and seizing moments on the break or from set pieces.
Chelsea’s route to the semi-final has been much kinder by the relative quality of opposition. The Blues finished second in their group after a defeat to Flamengo but responded with a 3-0 win over ES Tunis to secure progression. In the knockout rounds, Chelsea overcame Benfica 4-1 after extra time, surviving a late penalty and a lengthy weather delay before pulling away in the additional period. Their quarter-final against Palmeiras was another close affair, with Cole Palmer opening the scoring and a late own goal sealing a 2-1 win.
Enzo Maresca’s side have shown flexibility, with key contributions from Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Palmer. The squad’s depth has been tested by suspensions and injuries: Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are both banned for the semi-final, while Reece James and Romeo Lavia remain fitness doubts. This will require further adjustments, particularly in defence and attack.
Chelsea’s tactical blueprint has been what you'd expect, with Enzo Maresca emphasising possession domination and control. The Blues have also demonstrated the ability to manage games and respond to adversity, going on to win their last two games despite conceding equalisers. The midfield pairing of Fernandez and Caicedo has been strong, while Palmer and Pedro Neto have been the standouts in the final third.
Both sides are missing important players here, but the absence of Martinelli for Fluminense will likely be felt the strongest. The Brazilians were already the underdogs coming into this game, but getting the job done without their star midfielder will be a herculean task. They'll likely still give a good account of themselves, but a win feels like a long shot for the Serie A side.
Fluminense 1-2 Chelsea
