Chelsea survived a late scare to edge past a spirited Palmeiras side 2-1 in Friday’s Club World Cup quarter-final at Lincoln Financial Field, thanks to a dramatic 83rd-minute own goal by goalkeeper Weverton, who deflected a Malo Gusto cross into his own net.
Cole Palmer had earlier opened the scoring in the first half for the Blues, who now progress to a semi-final clash against Fluminense in New York on Tuesday, with a place in the final up for grabs.
Palmeiras responded with determination after the break, levelling the score through 18-year-old winger Estêvão, soon to join Chelsea—with a sensational strike from a difficult angle in the 53rd minute.
“Tough game as we expected,” said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. “First half, I think we were a little bit better compared to the second half, we controlled the game much better.
“But then they scored and the game changed but at the end we scored and I think we deserved to win. Congratulations to the players, because they have been very good.”
Despite the absence of key midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Chelsea started brightly, with Andrey Santos making his long-awaited full debut, more than two years after joining the club.
The Blues dominated early possession and posed consistent threats down the right flank through the lively Pedro Neto.
Palmer gave Chelsea the lead in the 16th minute after Trevoh Chalobah picked him out on the edge of the box. The forward slalomed past three defenders before coolly curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Chelsea should have doubled their lead before halftime, but Christopher Nkunku squandered a golden opportunity in the 34th minute, firing over the bar with only Weverton to beat.
Palmeiras, who were without key defenders Joaquin Piquerez, Gustavo Gómez, and Murilo, struggled in the first half but came out rejuvenated after the interval.
They nearly equalised through Bruno Fuchs, whose header from a corner drifted just wide.
Moments later, Estêvão produced a moment of brilliance, dancing past Levi Colwill on the right before unleashing a thunderous strike that flew past Robert Sánchez, clipped the underside of the bar, and nestled in.
“Happy because we won, happy because he scored, so it’s a perfect night,” Maresca said of the teenage sensation.
Just as Palmeiras were gaining momentum, Chelsea delivered the killer blow. Malo Gusto surged down the left and whipped in a cross that deflected off Fuchs and struck Weverton on the back, ricocheting into the net to extinguish hopes of an all-Brazilian semi-final.