Delighted Enzo Maresca hails Joao Pedro after Chelsea reach Club World Cup final

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Chelseas Brazilian forward Joao Pedro celebrates scoring his teams second goal with Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

PHOTO: AFP

Summary

• Joao Pedro scored twice in his Chelsea debut, helping them beat Fluminense 2-0 in brutal heat and reach the Club World Cup final.
• Pedros goals, including a stunning curler, showed respect for his former club; Chelsea will now face Real Madrid or PSG.
• Despite a disallowed penalty, Pedros second goal sealed the win, highlighting his immediate impact after a £60m transfer.

AI generated

EAST RUTHERFORD – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hailed Joao Pedro and expressed his delight at reaching the Club World Cup final, after the new signing’s double strike secured a 2-0 win over Fluminense in the last four on Tuesday.

“We are very happy and very proud to be in the final on Sunday because this is the first edition of the Club World Cup and the best clubs in the world are here,” said the Italian.

Joao Pedro was starting for the first time since arriving from Brighton Hove Albion for a reported £60 million last week, fresh from an off-season break.

The Brazilian made an immediate impact in the game at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York.

He produced two superb finishes, either side of half-time, to take Chelsea through to Sunday’s final against Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid.

“I am very happy for Joao. He has the quality to decide games like today, but also he was on holiday so is probably a bit more fresh compared to the rest,” Maresca added of the