Chelsea lead in Atlanta!
It’s been a pretty competitive first half despite the Blues playing a strong team, but Enzo Maresca’s team now have their lead. Pedro Neto turned a defender inside out and lashed one in after a powerful run down the right.
It’s a slightly odd situation in the stadium right now, with about 400 fans total in attendance, but that didn’t stop Neto enjoying his goal one bit.
Jackson plays sweet assist for Neto
Pedro Neto celebrates a goal at the Club World Cup.
Pedro Neto celebrates a goal at the Club World Cup. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It was actually the ever controversial Nicolas Jackson who played the ball for Neto. Dropping off the front line, he turned on the halfway line and took advantage of a classic marauding Marc Cucurella run forward which bought him a little space.
The Senegal star rolled a perfect pass through to Neto, who sat the defender down with a fake shot on his right, before burying the ball low into the near post on his left. It was about as textbook a Pedro Neto goal as you’ll see.
You can see the goal in the clip embedded here:
33' ⚽ GOAL! Pedro Neto nets the first goal for @ChelseaFC 🔥
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHELAF pic.twitter.com/DAnKWNXDGo
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 16, 2025
[Footage from DAZN]
Pedro Neto’s perfect start to second Chelsea season
This is going to be an important season for Neto. He’s had a year to settle in, and will likely face a lot more competition for minutes out wide with Estevao Willian plus at least one more attacking signing expected.
He’s seen off Jadon Sancho and often seems ahead of Noni Madueke in the pecking order too. The challenge level will go up this season, and there are plenty of fans who are a little worried he may be too one dimensional for Champions League football, but this is a great way to start his second year at the club.
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Enzo Maresca in a Conference League press conference.
Mamadou Sarr with a Chelsea logo.
Liam Delap's signing photo for Chelsea. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)