Chelsea edge Palmeiras as late deflection books Club World Cup semi-final spot
The GuardianSaturday, July 5, 2025 at 3:40:21 AM
Chelsea squeaked past Palmeiras 2-1 in a tense Club World Cup clash, with a late deflection off Malo Gusto's cross deciding the game. After taking an early lead through Palmer, Chelsea weathered a second-half equalizer and some nervy moments before the fortuitous winner—a cruel own goal by Palmeiras' keeper Weverton—sealed their semifinal spot.
Editor’s Note: For Chelsea, this was a gritty escape—not pretty, but enough to keep their hopes alive for a massive payday and global bragging rights. For Palmeiras, it’s heartbreak: a hard-fought performance undone by a fluky moment. The story here isn’t just the result; it’s how luck and fine margins define high-stakes tournaments like this. Casual fans might shrug, but for diehards, these are the agonizing, exhilarating twists that make football unforgettable.
— Curated via WP Now’s
