Joao Pedro twice stood apologetically with his arms in the air, not wanting Fluminense’s fans to think he was being disrespectful. It was a shame in a way.
The two goals he scored here – his first for Chelsea amid an exhibition of finesse and explosion – warranted celebrations. They fired Chelsea into the Club World Cup final, where they will either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey this Sunday.
We can understand Joao Pedro’s fondness for Fluminense, at least. The 23-year-old did not simply spend six months on loan there once upon a time.