The São Paulo team was beaten by the English team four years ago and can ‘take revenge’ at the 2025 Club World Cup
Having qualified for the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup, Palmeiras will face Chelsea in the next phase. The clash is a repeat of the 2021 Club World Cup final, won by the English club.
On that occasion, Palmeiras and Chelsea faced off in February 2022, after winning the Libertadores and Champions League, respectively, the previous year. Verdão managed to take the decision to extra time after a 1-1 draw in regular time. Lukaku was responsible for opening the scoring, but Raphael Veiga, with a penalty, made it all even.
In extra time, Kai Havertz, also with a penalty kick, scored the second and secured the victory for the English club.
Just over three years later, the teams will face each other again, this time in a new World Cup format. The green and white team eliminated Botafogo in the round of 16, 1-0, in extra time, with a goal by Paulinho, and is looking for revenge.
On the other side, Chelsea beat Benfica in the previous stage, also in extra time, 4-1. If in 2022 the Blues arrived as favorites, now the scenario is different.
Enzo Maresca’s team is not going through its best moment and, last season, finished fourth in the English Championship. The team will also be without one of its best players: midfielder Caicedo, who is suspended. On the other hand, coach Abel Ferreira will be without Gustavo Gómez and Piquerez, who are suspended, and Murilo, who is injured.
Verdão, therefore, will have to go onto the field with almost all of its defensive line as reserves. Palmeiras and Chelsea will face each other on Friday at 10pm (Brasília time) in Philadelphia in a one-off duel for a spot in the semi-finals. In the event of a draw, the match will go to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
