The superstitious fan believes in rituals and coincidences that, in his head, are able to decide the result of a match. Among the various beliefs that concern the aficionados, the so -called “ex law” is perhaps the one that most today causes in football. The Fluminense who says it.
On Tuesday (8), the Rio team was eliminated from the Club World Cup in the semifinal after being defeated by Chelsea 2-0 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford. João Pedro, 23, formed in the categories of the Laranjeiras team, was the great name of the London Club classification, with two goals, one at each stage.
The former Fluminense athlete has a very recent relationship with Chelsea. Hired earlier this month, coming from Brighton, the striker made his debut last Friday (4), in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, in the duel with Palmeiras, entering the second half.
It was also short of his spell by the professional of the Rio team. In October 2018, before joining the main cast, he was negotiated with Watford in a transfer to be completed when he turned 18. In 2019, he scored 37 games and scored 10 goals for Fluminense before moving to England.
Still in search of his first professional title, João Pedro is in a game of opening what in the future could be a gallery. For this, Chelsea needs to overcome the winner of the duel between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. The second semifinal of the World Cup will be played on Wednesday (8), again at Metlife Stadium, at 16h (Brasília).
The decision will be on Sunday (13), also at 16h, in the same stadium. Unlike in the team version, there is no third place in the Club World Cup.
Nevertheless, just being among the top four teams of the competition Fluminense can consider their campaign as a redemption. In 2024, the team fought relegation in the Brazilian Championship and only escaped in the last round, beating Palmeiras, in São Paulo.
Fluminense had come to the World Cup unbeaten, with three wins and two draws since the group stage. Considering the whole season, he defended him an unbeaten up to 11 games.
In the first half, under the strong heat of 35ºC in East Rutherford, made a clash with some balance with Chelsea, although the English team had the best chances.
The first goal came out on 18 minutes, when Pedro Neto made an individual move on the left, tried to cross in the area, and the defender of Fluminense pushed away. João Pedro got the rebound and, with a plate finish, opened the scoring.
The first response of Renato Gaúcho’s training came on 25 minutes, when Hercules tabelo with barrel, invaded the area and finished under the legs of goalkeeper Sánchez. Cucurella, however, appeared on the line to save.
At 35, referee François Letexier pointed to a penalty to Fluminense after Trevoh Chalobah diverted the ball with his arm. Called by VAR (video referee) to check the bid, the Frenchman annulled his marking and considered a “natural movement” of the Chelsea defender. The bid caused revolt in the players of the Brazilian team.
If the first half ended with the Brazilian team closest to the draw, in the return of the break the scenario changed, and the English team resumed control of the match. Just after 11 minutes, he reached the second goal.
After a Bernal mistake, Palmer recovered the ball and, even falling, managed to set up a counterattack. Shirt 10 touched Enzo Fernández, who launched to João Pedro. The Brazilian dominated the ball, cleared the marking of two opponents and hit another accurate kick, with a detour in the crossbar before he died in the bottom of the net.
The goal gave ease to the cast directed by Enzo Maresca to manage the advantage to go out with victory and advance in the competition.
In his career until the decision, Chelsea faced three Brazilian teams. In the second round of the group stage, he lost to Flamengo 3-1. Then he eliminated Palmeiras in the quarterfinals, with a 2-1 win before surpassing Fluminense in Semi.
In intercontinental competitions, the Londrina team also met Brazilians in two finals of the Club World Cup, recently renamed FIFA as an Intercontinental Cup. In 2012, he lost his decision to Corinthians, South America’s last team to win a trophy of this level. Nine years later, in 2021, it was the turn of the Blue Training to be world champion for the first time, defeating Palmeiras in the final.
In search of the intercontinental two -time championship, the blue formation will have for the first time, therefore, a rival of Europe in a decision.
