Last updated on July 5, 2025
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Cole Palmer ended his eight-game goal drought for both club and country.
Image credit: OneFootball
Chelsea secured a place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup after a competitive 2–1 win over Brazilian side Palmeiras.
Interestingly, it was Estevao Willian, the rising teenage star from Palmeiras who recently agreed a transfer to Chelsea, that scored the goal which briefly pulled his team level.
Match Overview
Chelsea took the lead early in the game when Cole Palmer scored in the 16th minute, ending his eight-game goal drought for both club and country.
His finish came after a clever assist from Trevoh Chalobah.
Palmeiras fought back after the break.
In the 53rd minute, 18-year-old Estevao Willian produced a moment of magic to equalize.
Showing sharp movement inside the box, he beat Levi Colwill and fired a powerful shot that struck the crossbar and bounced past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
However, Chelsea regained the lead in the 83rd minute.
A cross from Malo Gusto was deflected into the Palmeiras net by defender Agustin Giay, resulting in an unfortunate own goal that ultimately sealed Chelsea’s win.
Estevao’s Memorable Goodbye
The spotlight belonged to Estevao, who gave Palmeiras fans a parting gift with a brilliant goal before completing his £52 million move to Chelsea.
His performance not only demonstrated his quality but also gave Chelsea supporters a glimpse of what’s to come when he joins them next season.
Debuts, Injuries, and Suspensions
Chelsea handed a debut to new £55 million signing Joao Pedro, who joined from Brighton just two days prior.
The Brazilian forward looked promising, making several lively runs and nearly scoring on his first appearance.
However, there were some setbacks:
- Liam Delap and Levi Colwill both received yellow cards and will miss the semi-final through suspension.
- Club captain Reece James suffered an injury during the pre-match warm-up and was ruled out of the match.
- Nicolas Jackson, who had just returned from a two-match suspension, was left out of the squad.
What’s Next?
Chelsea will face Fluminense, another top Brazilian club, in the semi-final on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
Palmeiras, meanwhile, will return to their domestic schedule and prepare to move forward without Estevao, whose departure marks the end of a promising chapter for the club.
Performance Review: Who Impressed?
- Cole Palmer: Broke his scoring drought with a confident finish.
- Pedro Neto: Provided energy and creativity up front.
- Joao Pedro: Bright debut despite not scoring.
- Estevao Willian: The standout performer for Palmeiras, scoring against his future club.
- Liam Delap: Struggled before being substituted.
- Nicolas Jackson: Surprisingly absent from the matchday squad.
Final Thoughts
This was a game full of storylines — from Cole Palmer’s return to form to Estevao’s farewell gift to Palmeiras.
Chelsea will be encouraged by their depth and resilience as they prepare for a challenging semi-final against Fluminense.
All eyes now turn to New Jersey for what promises to be another thrilling encounter in Chelsea’s hunt for the Club World Cup trophy.
