Chelsea’s Route to 2025 Club World Cup Final: Trophy Within Touching Distance. Chelsea are ever so close to winning their second piece of silverware under Enzo Maresca.
It’s not been all plain sailing for Chelsea at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup but they find themselves in the final of the competition.
The Blues secured relatively comfortable victories over Los Angeles FC and Espérance de Tunis in the group stage to ensure their shock defeat to Flamengo on Matchday 2 proved immaterial. Despite finishing second, they got the rub of the green by drawing Benfica in the last 16.
Chelsea have been fortunate to be on the favourable side of the knockout draw, meaning they have avoided Europe’s top dogs en route to the showpiece event. However, they are not so lucky with their final opponents.
Chelsea Last 16 Opponents
Finishing runners-up in Group D proved a blessing in disguise for the west Londoners. Instead of a clash against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, they were presented with Portuguese side Benfica in the last 16.
The Blues entered the contest having never lost to their Primeira Liga counterparts, and their fine record continued in Charlotte despite a lengthy delay due to adverse weather conditions. Ángel Di María’s penalty cancelled out Reece James’ opener in stoppage-time, but Gianluca Prestianni’s red card at the start of extra-time tilted the tie heavily in Chelsea’s favour.
They took full advantage in the extended period, eventually running up the score and sailing into the quarter-finals following a 4–1 win.
Chelsea’s Quarterfinal Opponents
.Chelsea learned their quarter-final opponents before they kicked off last Saturday, as Palmeiras became the first team to book their place in the last eight.
They did so following a tense 1–0 victory over domestic rivals Botafogo in extra-time. The Copa Libertadores holders kept Palmeiras at bay in 90 minutes. But a wonderful solo goal from Paulinho, who netted his second of the tournament, sent the Verdão into the quarters.
Chelsea faced off against Estêvão Willian, who’ll be joining the Blues after the tournament, and despite the teenager scoring his first goal of the เล่นบาคาร่า UFABET เว็บตรง ค่าคอมสูง summer. Maresca’s men progressed into the semifinals by virtue of a 2–1 victory.
Cole Palmer opened the scoring in Philadelphia before Estêvão restored parity. Cruelly, it was an Agustin Giay own goal that proved to be the difference.
Chelsea’s Semifinal Opponents
Chelsea were left fearing a potential meeting with familiar adversaries Manchester City in the semifinals after the Cityzens roared to top spot with three victories in Group G. Having been the only side to win every match at the tournament. Pep Guardiola’s men were feeling confident ahead of their last 16 tie with Al Hilal.
However, the Saudi Pro League outfit stunned the Cityzens. Edging a seven-goal thriller that went to extra-time. The match finished 2–2 in 90 minutes. But goals from former Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo saw Simone Inzaghi’s side progress as 4–3 winners. Chelsea will want to avoid Al Hilal in the last four should they beat Palmeiras themselves.
Inzaghi’s former club Inter were also shocked in the last 16. Fluminense earned their place in the quarter-finals following a 2–0 victory over the recent Champions League finalists. That was bookended by strikes from Germán Cano and Hércules.
Chelsea were next to face Renato Gaúcho’s “ugly ducklings”, who edged past the Saudi champions in a 2–1 victory. Former Blue Thiago Silva has enjoyed an excellent tournament. But he was powerless to stop his compatriot, the newly arrived João Pedro, from sending Chelsea into the final. Pedro scored both of the Premier League side’s goals in a comfortable 2–0 win.
Chelsea’s Final Opponents
Chelsea may have been lucky in their run to the final. But they will have to do things the hard way in the big match. The Blues knew they would face a European powerhouse in a straight shootout for the title, with Paris Saint-Germain their upcoming opponents.
The recently-crowned European champions faced Xabi Alonso’s new-look Real Madrid in the semi-final having already conquered Bayern Munich in the last eight. But they made light work of the Spanish giants as they sauntered to their third 4–0 victory of the tournament.
Fabián Ruiz’s brace and Ousmane Dembélé’s strike put the French champions three goals ahead before the 25th minute, with Gonçalo Ramos glossing the scoreline in the closing stages with a neat finish.
PSG have conceded just once at the tournament and their forward line has been as devastating as ever. Chelsea will need to massively upset the odds to clinch the trophy on Sunday.