Philly hosted its final FIFA Membership World Cup sport Friday evening and it had all of the thrills, noise and literal fireworks that any Fourth of July occasion deserves.
English facet Chelsea returned to Lincoln Monetary Discipline for the third time this summer time and defeated Brazilian facet Palmeiras, 2-1, in entrance of 65,782 followers, the stadium’s finest attendance this match.
Earlier than the sport, soccer followers let town know they had been right here. Palmerias rallied exterior Metropolis Corridor Friday afternoon, whereas Chelsea followers took over the official supporters membership’s residence bar Tir nA Nog on Thursday and Friday, as they did in earlier video games this summer time.
Main as much as the sport, Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira tried to leverage the Fourth of July vibes to construct help for his underdog facet towards British opposition.
Palmeiras supervisor Abel Ferreira doing his finest to rally Individuals behind his Brazilian facet as they put together to face the Brits of Chelsea—on Independence Day in the USA.
“It may be a superb alternative for native folks to affix with us towards the English. It may be a superb… pic.twitter.com/cHtIGRz041
— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) July 3, 2025
Ticket costs dipped to as little as $15 Friday, and when it stuffed out, the blue workforce from London appeared to have the numbers within the stands, whereas the São Paulo-based facet in inexperienced introduced the flags, banners and arranged noise that has charged the stadium since its opening sport.
The Linc added patriotic spectacle to proceedings by transferring the singing of the nationwide anthem nearer to the beginning of the sport, with volleys of fireworks “on the rockets pink glare” and “the house of the courageous.” There was additionally a stay DJ set and fireworks present throughout halftime. Thirty minutes into the sport the fireworks on the Ben Franklin Bridge peaked over a nook of the stadium, and pictures of that present was performed briefly on the stadium’s large screens.
Earlier than kickoff, there have been moments of silence to pay tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who each died in a automobile accident in Spain on Thursday. Their Portuguese compatriot, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, entered the sphere holding a shirt in honor of them.
Chelsea opened the scoring within the sixteenth minute by way of their English star Cole Palmer, who turned deftly with the go from Trevoh Chalobah, ran throughout the objective and two defenders earlier than slotting the ball into the underside nook and performing his trademark “shiver” celebration.
Palmeiras’ 18-year-old star Estêvão is about to change into a Chelsea participant subsequent season, however nonetheless obtained a tough therapy from the Blues defenders like Marc Cucurella. He confirmed why Chelsea paid a reported $40 million for him, although, by scoring Palmeiras’ equalizer from an improbably tight angle within the 53rd minute.
The sport remained intently contested, however Chelsea discovered its successful objective slightly thankfully within the 83rd minute, when Malo Gusto’s cross deflected off Palmeiras defender Agustín Giay’s foot after which the hip of the wrong-footed goalkeeper Weverton.
Regardless of being on the dropping facet, Estêvão’s efficiency earned him the participant of the match award.
Chelsea will now go on to face yet one more Brazilian facet, Rio de Janeiro’s Fluminense, on Tuesday at 3 p.m. Palmer mentioned he expects one other powerful sport towards sturdy opposition.
“I really feel like they’re extra bodily, extra tough,” he mentioned when requested how they in comparison with Chelsea’s regular opposition within the English Premier League. “We all know that they’re good groups, so it’s tough to play towards them.”
Palmer additionally shared some phrases with Estêvão on the sphere after the ultimate whistle, regardless of a language barrier.
“I simply mentioned we stay up for seeing you, however he didn’t perceive a phrase I mentioned,” Palmer revealed.
The opposite semifinal nonetheless needs to be determined, with the remaining quarterfinal matches taking part in out right now between Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich at midday, adopted by Actual Madrid towards Borussia Dortmund at 4 p.m. The match semifinals and remaining will all be held at close by Metlife Stadium.
For individuals who are dissatisfied that the soccer on the Linc is over till subsequent yr’s six FIFA World Cup matches, only a pleasant reminder that the Philadelphia Union presently have the most effective file in Main League Soccer and are taking part in away at Nashville SC at 8:30 p.m. tonight. The workforce subsequent performs at Subaru Park in Chester on July 9, taking over rivals New York Pink Bulls within the quarterfinal of the U.S. Open Cup.