Chelsea reach FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals with victory over Palmeiras despite Estevao Willian goal against new club - 'Perfect night'
Published 05/07/2025 at 09:11 GMT+1
Chelsea beat Palmeiras to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, despite 18-year-old Estevao Willian scoring against The Blues before his move to Stamford Bridge this summer. The winger, who agreed a move to Chelsea last year, equalised for the Brazilian side following Cole Palmer's opener, but a late own-goal saw Enzo Maresca's side progress, in a night the coach hailed as "perfect".
Maresca insists 'huge talent' Estevao will be 'very important player' for Chelsea
Video credit: SNTV
Enzo Maresca said it was the "perfect night" after Chelsea beat Palmeiras to reach the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals, despite Estevao Willian’s goal against his new club.
The Blues took the lead in the quarter-final clash in Philadelphia after 16 minutes as Cole Palmer turned smartly on the edge of the box before stroking home.
Palmeiras levelled the tie shortly after the interval as 18-year-old Estevao, who will now complete his move to Chelsea, fired home from a tight angle.
But Maresca’s men booked their place in the last four as Malo Gusto’s cross was deflected in by Palmeiras defender Agustin Giay seven minutes from time, leaving the Chelsea boss satisfied with how the evening unfolded.
Maresca said: "Happy because we won and also happy because Estevao scored, the perfect night.
"He is very good, a huge talent, fantastic player. The only thing is, when you come from South America or another part of the world, is that you need to adapt.
"We are going to help him to adapt, be happy and enjoy football. We have no doubt he will be an important player for Chelsea."
Estevao will join Chelsea this summer after a deal, which reportedly could eventually be worth £52 million, was agreed in May 2024.
Palmeiras included a clause in the deal which meant Estevao could play for them in the Club World Cup, and the winger certainly impressed against his new club.
He caused Chelsea problems throughout the contest with his direct running and took his goal superbly, taking a clever touch in the right side of the box to evade Levi Colwill before rifling home off the crossbar from a narrow angle.
Chelsea’s Palmer was seen talking to the 18-year-old at full-time and told reporters afterwards: "You can see he is a top player, so it is very exciting.
"I just said we are excited for you to join, but he didn't understand a single word I said."
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Video credit: SNTV
Estevao and his manager, Abel Ferreira, were emotional at the post-match press conference following the player’s final match for the club.
Ferreira said: "I spoke before with Maresca and told him 'you bought an amazing player but more than this you bought an amazing person'.
"'You need to take care of him. You need to embrace him and, in the beginning, for sure he will make mistakes.' Like you saw today, he is an amazing player with a lot of skill. He is a player who can win a game alone."
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Despite Maresca’s "perfect" verdict of the match, it wasn’t a scot-free evening for The Blues, with captain Reece James picking up an injury in the warm-up and Liam Delap and Levi Colwill earning bookings to rule them out of the semi-final.
However, a debut for £55m signing Joao Pedro marked another positive for the Italian boss ahead of Tuesday’s last-four tie against Fluminense in New Jersey.
The Brazilian forward replaced Delap before the hour mark, with Nicolas Jackson remaining on the bench despite returning from his suspension following his straight red card against Flamengo in the group stage.
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