Fifa cuts ticket price for Chelsea's Club World Cup semi-final as sparse crowds plague tournament
have cut standard ticket prices for the
Club World Cup
semi-final between
Chelsea
and Brazilian side Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday to $13.40 (€11.40) from $473.90 (€402.50).
Fifa has used dynamic pricing for the 63-game tournament.
Standard ticket prices for Wednesday's semi-final between
Paris Saint-Germain
and
Real Madrid
in New Jersey start at $199.60 (€169.50).
Fifa also dropped ticket prices for Fluminense's 2-1 win over Al Hilal in Friday's quarter-final in Orlando, and Chelsea's last eight fixture against Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Saturday to $11.15 (€9.80). The dramatic price decreases were first reported by the Athletic.
READ MORE
Many matches during the tournament have had sparse crowds with Real Madrid's being an exception. The Spanish club have drawn crowds of at least 60,000 for all five of their matches in the tournament to date, including 76,611 for their quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund in New Jersey on Saturday.
Real's 3-2 win came despite a late red card for Dean Huijsen, setting up a reunion for talisman Kylian Mbappé with his former club, PSG.
Xabi Alonso's Madrid looked entirely in control for the vast majority of the match, until a remarkable stoppage time made things nervy and Thibaut Courtois's last-gasp save preserved the victory.
Gonzalo García had opened the scoring for Real in the 10th minute, claiming his fourth goal of the tournament, before left-back Fran García added a second to make it 2-0 10 minutes later.
As Madrid cruised to what seemed like a sure victory, Maximilian Beier hit back two minutes into stoppage time, setting off a frantic final few minutes at MetLife Stadium.
Mbappé, who missed the early part of the tournament after he was hospitalised with gastroenteritis, provided the game's signature moment in those memorable final minutes, hanging in the air to meet a cross with a sideways scissor kick from close range that flew past Dortmund's goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, and into the back of the net, delighting the near-capacity crowd.
Huijsen's infringement in the box, pulling down Serhou Guirassy to draw his sending off, ended with the French man finding the net from the penalty spot, but Courtois ensured there was to be no late equaliser for the German giants, Real pressing on to the semi-finals.
For Chelsea, Cole Palmer was again on target to give his side an early lead, but an inspired effort from Estêvão, who is set to join the London club after the tournament, had the sides level shortly after the break.
An error from Palmeriras' Weverton seven minutes from time ultimately sealed Chelsea's win; a deflected cross from Gusto somehow deceiving the goalkeeper and bobbling in.
And in Atlanta, a nine-man PSG eased past Bayern Munich to reach the penultimate stage. Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembéle the goal scorers while Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández saw red. – Guardian
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
4 hours ago
- The 42
New signing Pedro scores twice as Chelsea book Club World Cup final spot
NEW SIGNING JOAO Pedro scored twice on his first start as Chelsea eased to a 2-0 win over Fluminense on Tuesday to seal a spot in the final of the Club World Cup. The Brazilian striker opened the scoring in lethal fashion in the 18th minute of the last-four clash at the MetLife Stadium and struck again shortly before the hour mark as Chelsea set up a showdown with either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Sunday. Signed from Brighton and Hove Albion just last week for a reported £60 million ($79 million), the 23-year-old cut short an off-season holiday and made his debut off the bench in the quarter-final win over Palmeiras. He was then given his first Chelsea start up front here in place of the suspended Liam Delap. Joao Pedro refused to celebrate after either goal against the club with whom he started his career and made 36 top-team appearances before moving to England with Watford in 2020. The result ends Fluminense's impressive run at the tournament after the 2023 Copa Libertadores winners had held Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, beaten Inter Milan in the last 16 and knocked out Manchester City's conquerors Al-Hilal in the quarter-finals. With their exit go the prospects of a South American winner of the first 32-team edition of the Club World Cup, with Chelsea claiming back-to-back victories against Brazilian opposition to reach the final. Advertisement As always seemed most likely, the trophy will be claimed by one of Europe's superpowers, with the final now guaranteed to be between two of the last five winners of the UEFA Champions League. Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi had described his team as the 'ugly duckling' of the tournament due to the enormous difference between their budget and those of the other three sides left in the United States. This game ultimately proved to be a step too far for their team, captained by 40-year-old former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was without the suspended Levi Colwill and Delap but midfield lynchpin Moises Caicedo returned after sitting out the win over Palmeiras in Philadelphia due to a ban. The Premier League side were simply too strong for their opponents in a game watched by 70,556 fans on a hot afternoon just outside New York City. They went ahead thanks to a wonderful strike by their new forward, who controlled the ball on the edge of the box after Silva had cleared a Pedro Neto cross. Joao Pedro took a touch and curled a shot beyond veteran goalkeeper Fabio into the far corner, before holding up his hands apologetically towards the Fluminense fans massed behind the goal. The team from Rio de Janeiro were an intermittent threat, and Hercules — match-winner against Al-Hilal in the last eight — almost equalised in the 25th minute. He played a one-two with German Cano and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but Marc Cucurella got back to clear off the line. Fluminense were then awarded a penalty 10 minutes before the interval when a set-piece delivery by Rene struck the arm of Trevoh Chalobah in the box. However, French referee Francois Letexier overturned the decision following a VAR check. Chelsea got their second on 56 minutes, just after Fluminense had sacrificed one of their three centre-backs to send on an extra attacker. Enzo Fernandez released Joao Pedro on the break, and the forward who scored 10 goals in the Premier League last season for Brighton produced another clinical finish in off the bar. There were chances for Chelsea to score further goals after that, but the new boy's double strike sufficed. – © AFP 2025
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Moises Caicedo hands Chelsea injury scare just days before Club World Cup final after he limps off vs Fluminense
CHELSEA suffered an injury scare to Moises Caicedo as they beat Fluminense to reach the Club World Cup final. The midfielder has been ever-present for Enzo Maresca's side at the tournament. Advertisement 4 Moises Caicedo twisted his ankle badly against Fluminense Credit: Reuters 4 He fell to the ground in pain Credit: AFP 4 Caicedo received treatment and was able to complete the match Credit: Getty 4 Enzo Maresca is now sweating over the midfielder's fitness ahead of Sunday's final Credit: AFP But now the Caicedo twisted his ankle when battling for the ball in a nasty-looking incident. He received treatment but was able to complete the match though he is now a doubt for the final. Maresca was asked about his potential availability but could not give a definitive answer. Advertisement READ MORE ON CHELSEA He said: "I told Caicedo he has to do everything to be on the pitch on Sunday. "We will see." Chelsea have multiple midfield options available with Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro was the hero for Chelsea with Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Exclusive BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The players came out to an And although Chelsea survived a penalty scare and had to clear a shot off the line, they never looked in danger of being knocked out. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens spotted with Chelsea squad after Club World Cup win over Palmeiras... despite not signing yet
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Joao Pedro double fires Chelsea into Club World Cup final
Club World Cup semi-final: Fluminense 0 Chelsea 2 (Joao Pedro 18, 56) Joao Pedro scored twice on his full Chelsea debut as the Premier League side secured a place in the Club World Cup final – and a lucrative pay-day – with a 2-0 win over Fluminense. The Brazil forward, who only completed his move from Brighton last week, struck in style in each half as Chelsea overcame his first professional club and sweltering conditions in New York on Tuesday. Their reward for victory is a guaranteed cash prize of about €92 million and the chance to play for a jackpot exceeding €105 million in Sunday's final against Real Madrid or Paris St Germain. Manager Enzo Maresca handed Pedro, who made his debut off the bench in the quarter-final defeat of Palmeiras, his first start in the absence of the suspended Liam Delap. READ MORE It was a decision which paid very rich dividends as Chelsea battled past a Fluminense side who, captained by veteran former Blues defender Thiago Silva, had defied expectations to reach the last four. The temperature was around 34 degrees at kick-off at MetLife Stadium and Chelsea were playing their 63rd game of a season that began last August. Yet they still made a strong start with the influential Enzo Fernandez having a shot blocked and then floating in a free-kick which Tosin Adarabioyo headed wide. Pedro Neto was also lively and it was his break down the left which led to Pedro's stunning opener on 18 minutes. Neto whipped in a cross which was cleared only as far as the former Brighton striker on the edge of the area and he brilliantly curled a shot beyond 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio. It was a spectacular way to open his account for his new club but Pedro's celebrations were notably muted, almost apologetic, in front of the Fluminense fans. Chelsea could have immediately doubled their lead after Neto picked out Malo Gusto but the Frenchman's stooping header was straight at Fabio. They were almost made to regret that miss when Hercules broke through and rounded Robert Sanchez but Marc Cucurella cleared off the line. Chelsea had another scare when French referee Francois Letexier pointed to the penalty spot after a Fluminense cross flicked the head of Thiago Santos and then struck the arm of Trevoh Chalobah. It seemed a harsh decision and was reversed following a VAR review. Chelsea threatened again before the break when a Neto strike was deflected wide and Sanchez came to their rescue after the restart when he saved from Everaldo. Pedro struck the decisive blow on 56 minutes as Chelsea broke from deep inside their own half. Fernandez found Pedro with a superb through-ball and he cut inside Ignacio to hit a thunderous shot in off the underside of the bar. From then it became a case of seeing out the job and, although booked for time-wasting, Chelsea keeper Sanchez was not troubled. On the downside, Moises Caicedo appeared to pick up an injury in the closing stages. Nicolas Jackson could have added a third goal when he fired into the side-netting. Meanwhile, Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani scored one goal and made another as her side cruised into the knockout stages of the women's European Championship with a 3-0 win over Poland on Tuesday that eliminated the Poles. The win also guaranteed Germany's berth in the last eight after they beat Denmark earlier on Tuesday, with the Danes joining Poland in exiting the competition after both lost their opening two matches. Germany and Sweden occupy the top two spots in Group C on six points and meet in Zurich on Saturday to decide who will win the group after Sweden's aerial bombardment from the wings proved too much for the Polish defence.
