In Philadelphia, Palmeiras and Chelsea are set to face off in the second quarter-final of the Club World Cup on Friday, revisiting their 2022 final where Chelsea clinched their inaugural title in extra time.
Both teams have undergone significant changes since that 2022 encounter, with new management and nearly entirely new rosters, yet Chelsea aims to replicate their past triumph. The 2022 final saw Kai Havertz score a decisive penalty in the 117th minute for a 2-1 victory, but none of the starters from that match remain at Chelsea.
Despite a group stage loss to Flamengo, Chelsea advanced as group runners-up with a 3-0 win over Esperance de Tunis, securing a favorable draw. In their last-16 match against Benfica, Chelsea led 1-0 until a weather delay disrupted play, allowing Benfica to equalize with a late penalty. However, an early extra-time red card to Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni shifted momentum, and Chelsea capitalized with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for a 4-1 win.
Fresh off their Conference League victory, Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, are among the top European contenders, especially with Manchester City and Inter Milan’s unexpected exits opening up their side of the draw. A win against Palmeiras would pit them against either Fluminense or Al-Hilal in the semi-finals.
Palmeiras, however, are a formidable challenge, remaining unbeaten in the tournament. They dispatched Copa Libertadores and Brazilian champions Botafogo in the last 16 and have shown strong form, drawing with Porto, defeating Al Ahly, and edging past Inter Miami. Managed by Abel Ferreira, who led them in the 2022 final, Palmeiras are eager for redemption despite a largely new squad.
Palmeiras’ rising star Estevao Willian, set to join Chelsea after the tournament, will face his future club for the first time. Only goalkeeper Weverton is likely to start from the 2022 lineup, with Gustavo Gomez and Joaquin Piquerez suspended, and Marcos Rocha and Raphael Veiga expected to be benched.
Chelsea will miss Nicolas Jackson due to suspension, but new signing Joao Pedro, recently acquired from Brighton, bolsters their attack, though Liam Delap is likely to start. Wesley Fofana is sidelined by injury, while Reece James aims to stay fit after missing the 2022 final. Pedro Neto has been pivotal, scoring in all three tournament games, compensating for Cole Palmer’s recent dip in form.
