Palmeiras falls short against Chelsea, advancing them to the Club World Cup semifinals
In a thrilling quarter-final match of the FIFA Club World Cup, held at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on July 5, 2025, Chelsea triumphed over Palmeiras with a 2-1 scoreline. The lively crowd of 65,782 fans witnessed a game that mirrored the final of the Club World Cup in 2022.
The match commenced with an early lead for Chelsea, as Cole Palmer capitalised on a pass from Trevoh Chalobah, dispatching a low shot past Weverton in the 16th minute. However, the Brazilian side equalised in the 53rd minute, with 18-year-old winger Estevao Willian, who will join Chelsea after the tournament, scoring a superb strike.
The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when a cross by Malo Gusto deflected off Palmeiras defender Agustín Giay and then the hip of goalkeeper Weverton, resulting in an own goal that sealed the victory for Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's coach, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating that they were in control of the game in the first half and the last 25 minutes. Palmeiras' coach, Abel Ferreira, admitted that Chelsea was better and had better players in the match.
The win advances Chelsea to the semi-finals, where they will face Brazilian side Fluminense on Tuesday. Notably, Chelsea brought on Joao Pedro for his debut in the second half, making him the 27th player used by Maresca during the tournament.
Despite much of the city having emptied out for the July 4 holiday and long weekend, the game was played in front of a lively crowd, with Independence Day fireworks visible over the nearby Delaware River during the match. Pedro Neto, who played despite the tragic death of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota on Thursday, lined up on the right wing for Chelsea.
Estevao, the Brazilian prodigy, played for Palmeiras on the right wing and showcased his talent with his equalising goal. The match was a repeat of Chelsea's victory against Palmeiras in the final of the Club World Cup in 2022, and the London-based club will be aiming to continue their winning streak in the semi-finals.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/05/chelsea-beat-palmeiras-to-reach-fifa-club-world-cup-semi-finals [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59803808 [3] https://www.espn.com/football/matchstats/teamsheet?gameId=617691&league=266769&season=20242025&tab=matchevents
- In the burgeoning world of international business, the Premier League's football clubs, such as Chelsea, have become a significant force, expanding their influence beyond European-leagues and into global markets, as evidenced by the talent acquisition of Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian.
- The triumph of Chelsea over Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup not only underscores the club's dominance in football but also serves as a marketing tool for the club, boosting their image and appeal in the competitive global sports industry.
- As the Premier League continues to grow its international footprint, the sport of football is not only entertaining packed stadiums like the Lincoln Financial Field but is also generating substantial revenue from various avenues, contributing significantly to the global sports economy.
