HOT NEWS: Estêvão Fires Bold Shot at Chelsea Ahead of CWC Clash
Ahead of Palmeiras’ FIFA Club World Cup 2025 showdown with Chelsea, 17-year-old rising star Estêvão Willian stirred controversy with a bold declaration:
“I will defeat Chelsea for Palmeiras and prove their Champions League win was a fluke.”
His defiant statement sent shockwaves through the football world—and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer didn’t hesitate to respond, igniting a heated media frenzy just before kickoff.
Match Drama Unfolds: Nkunku Misses Crucial Chance
During the 32nd minute of the quarter-final match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Chelsea nearly extended their lead.
Christopher Nkunku, fed by a brilliant setup from Cole Palmer, found himself in a perfect position to score. Palmer, showcasing flair and composure, skipped past defenders Rony and Murilo with a slick feint before threading a precise through ball into Nkunku’s path.
With only goalkeeper Weverton to beat, Nkunku fired a powerful right-footed shot—only to be denied by a spectacular reflex save. Murilo swept the rebound clear before Nicolas Jackson could pounce.
The miss proved costly.
Estêvão Strikes Back
Just over 20 minutes later, Estêvão Willian—the same teenager who made headlines pre-match—silenced Chelsea with a sensational goal from a seemingly impossible angle, leveling the score 1-1 and swinging momentum in Palmeiras’ favor.
The match, already intense due to its nature as a rematch of the 2022 Club World Cup final, had now become a full-blown battle.
Tactical Breakdown and Reactions
Chelsea, who had gone ahead earlier thanks to a Palmer goal, continued to control possession and looked dangerous in their attacking shape under manager Enzo Maresca’s fluid 4-2-3-1 setup. But once again, their Achilles heel—failure to capitalize on dominance—surfaced, just as it had in their 3-1 group-stage loss to Flamengo.
Fans on social media were quick to react. Many criticized Nkunku’s missed chance, with one calling it “the type of moment that defines a season,” while others praised Palmer’s creativity and leadership in the attack.
Bigger Picture
For Nkunku, still finding his rhythm after injury setbacks, this was a painful reminder of how close brilliance and frustration can be. Yet, his chemistry with Palmer remains a silver lining as Chelsea look to build a new identity under Maresca.
Palmeiras, missing key defenders, showed grit and resilience. And Weverton’s stunning save may go down as a turning point in the tournament.
In the end, Nkunku’s miss—and Estêvão’s moment of brilliance—highlighted the thin line between triumph and regret on football’s biggest stage.
