Key Moments
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Cole Palmer gave Chelsea an early advantage, drifting past defenders before firing a cool left-foot strike into the bottom corner in the 16th minute.
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Estêvão, the 18‑year‑old Palmeiras prodigy soon-to-be Blues signing, stunned the crowd with a breathtaking equaliser in the 53rd minute, blasting the ball from a tight angle.
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The winning moment arrived in the 83rd minute when Malo Gusto’s cross took a wicked deflection off Agustín Giay (not prospective Chelsea player) and cruelly bounced off goalkeeper Weverton into his own net.
Tactical Summary
Despite missing key midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Chelsea dominated the early exchanges, controlling possession (19 shots to 7) and creating multiple scoring opportunities. Palmeiras bounced back strongly in the second half, but Chelsea’s resilience prevailed.
Manager Enzo Maresca praised his players, stating:
“Tough game as we expected … we controlled the game much better … at the end we scored and I think we deserved to win”.
Emergence of Young Talent
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Estêvão shone despite being on the losing side, earning Player of the Match honors for his stunning goal. His impending move to Chelsea adds an emotional subplot.
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Andrey Santos also impressed, making his first start in over two years and contributing positively to Chelsea’s midfield.
What Lies Ahead
Chelsea's win sets up a tantalizing semi-final tie against Brazilian champions Fluminense, promising a titanic clash on Tuesday in New York. Meanwhile, Palmeiras’ hopes of an all‑Brazilian semi-final were dashed, but their tournament run impressed many.
Play continues on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium — don’t miss it!