Joao Pedro wasted no time showcasing his talent in his first start for Chelsea during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semifinal against Fluminense, held in the early hours of Wednesday (July 9, 2025) WIB at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
The newly signed forward made an immediate impact by scoring two stunning goals, securing a 2-0 victory for Chelsea and sending the club through to the final.
However, rather than celebrating what was a memorable debut goal, Pedro chose to raise his hands in a gesture of apology a respectful nod to his former club, Fluminense, where he began his professional career in Brazil.
His first goal came in the 18th minute. After expertly controlling a loose ball on the edge of the box, Pedro curled a sublime shot into the far corner beyond the reach of the Fluminense goalkeeper.
While the goal sparked loud cheers from teammates and Chelsea supporters, Pedro remained composed. He quietly turned toward the Fluminense supporters' section and raised both hands in a meaningful show of respect.
Not content with just one, Pedro doubled Chelsea’s lead in the second half with another spectacular effort. This time, his powerful shot struck the crossbar before finding the back of the net an instinctive finish that demonstrated the sharpness of a top class striker.
The performance sealed an important win for Chelsea and marked a promising start for Pedro, who joined the club just nine days earlier in a £55 million move.
Reactions on social media quickly poured in, with fans praising Pedro’s performance and his show of humility. Many noted that his debut goal was too beautiful not to celebrate.
“One of those goals you have to celebrate,” wrote one fan.
Another added, “You could see he wanted to celebrate, but his respect for Fluminense held him back.”
Some even suggested that the 23 year old could be on the path to becoming a future Chelsea legend.
