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New signing Joao Pedro’s brace has lifted Chelsea into the FIFA Club World Cup final with an impressive 2-0 semi-final victory against Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The English Premier League outfit were dominant throughout with 23-year-old Pedro scoring goals in the 18th and 56th minute to break the hearts of his boyhood club.
The semi-final loss ends a remarkable run to the final four from Fluminense.
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The Brazilian club stunned UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan in the Round of 16 before defeating Saudi side Al Hilal, who knocked out Manchester City, in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will face either Spanish giants Real Madrid or UEFA Champions League winners PSG, who kick-off their semi-final at 5am on Thursday AEST, in the final from 5am on Monday AEST.
The champions will pocket at least US$125 million (A$191.4m) in prize money, and while Chelsea will start as underdogs regardless of their opponent, the London club will be buoyed by their semi-final showing.
Pedro, in only his second appearance for Chelsea after signing from Brighton earlier this month, was undoubtedly the star for the Blues.
The Brazilian forward, who also previously appeared in the Premier League for Watford, started up front for the first time for his new club with fellow new signing Liam Delap sidelined after too many yellow cards in previous encounters.
Pedro will almost certainly have locked away the starting position for the final, and will surely have the Chelsea hierarchy salivating at the talent they have on their hands.
His first goal was a beautiful, right-footed curler into the far corner of the net from outside of the box, while his second was no less delightful, smashing a strike into the underside of the cross bar and in after being released by Enzo Fernandez.
In a mark of respect, Pedro opted not to celebrate against the club of his youth, much to the delight of the pro-Brazilian crowd on a hot afternoon outside of New York City.
He was substituted on the hour mark, denying him a hat-trick, but he left a considerable mark on the game regardless, scoring twice in a match from general play for the first time in 18 months.
In the first half, Fluminense thought had the chance to equalise when awarded a penalty, but it was overturned by VAR.
The Brazilians felt aggrieved as replays showed the ball clearly stuck Trevoh Chalobah’s forearm, but it was deemed the defender’s arm was in a natural position, by his side.
