Saturday 05 / July / 2025
PHILADELPHIA: Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton scored a late own goal as Chelsea edged the Brazilian side 2-1 on Friday to reach the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals.
Cole Palmer gave Chelsea the lead in the quarterfinal with a 16th-minute strike before teenager Estevao, who is set to join the Premier League club later this month, equalized from an acute angle shortly after halftime.
The decisive moment came seven minutes from time, when a deflection off Weverton sent the ball into his own net as Chelsea set up a clash with Fluminense next Tuesday for a place in the final.
Still searching for his first goal in the tournament, Palmer showed his intent early, forcing a diving save from Weverton with a low effort to the near post.
The England international finally opened his account here by turning superbly as he received Trevoh Chalobah's pass before advancing into the box and placing a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
Chelsea continued to threaten as it pressed for a second, with Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez testing Weverton during a sustained spell of pressure.
Christopher Nkunku had a clear chance to double the lead but blasted a hurried shot over the bar when he had time to compose himself.
Palmeiras began to find rhythm late in the first half as Estevao grew in confidence down the right flank.
Vanderlan should have leveled for the Sao Paulo-based club when Agustin Giay found him unmarked at the far post, only for the left-back to send a tame header straight at Robert Sanchez.
Palmeiras showed greater intensity after halftime and Estevao was at the heart of the team's most dangerous moves, offering Chelsea an early preview of his talent ahead of his move to London.
The 18-year-old winger's curling free-kick shortly after the restart was perfectly weighted for Bruno Fuchs, who failed to direct his header on target.
Estevao equalized in the 53rd minute with a contender for goal of the tournament. The Brazil international ran onto Richard Rios' pass and dribbled past Levi Colwill before beating Sanchez with a powerful effort from a tight angle that rebounded in off the woodwork.
Palmeiras seized the momentum and Allan dragged a low shot wide before Mauricio's cross from the left was cut out just in time by Colwill with Roque poised to tap in.
But Chelsea found a response at the crucial moment, helped by a touch of fortune.
Malo Gusto's cross from the left side of the penalty area rebounded off Giay before taking another deflection off Weverton and flying into the far corner.
Paulinho had a chance to equalize shortly after when he somehow squeezed a shot between a maze of defenders that rolled just wide of the far post.
