The Blues continued our impressive from in the USA by defeating Palmeiras 2-1 in the quarter-finals, as Gusto’s cross was diverted in for an own goal late on, after Cole Palmer’s opening goal had been cancelled out by Estevao – who will join the Blues this summer.

• Tickets are available for our Club World Cup semi-final from FIFA here

It was far from plain sailing for the victors in Philadelphia. Following a strong 45 minutes by Chelsea, the Verdao fought back strongly in the second half, meaning the result was very much in the balance until that decisive moment seven minutes from full-time.

‘We are happy. It was our objective to get to this stage of the competition, it’s very important for us,’ said the Frenchman after the final whistle at Lincoln Financial Field.

‘It was a tough game again so we are very happy. They had a lot of energy during the game so we just had to deal with that, and that’s what we did.

‘I think during this tournament mental strength has been the most important thing and that’s why we are happy to be in the semi-final. We’ve shown that on the pitch in all the games we’ve had.’

Gusto was also pleased with his own crucial intervention, forcing the decisive error by Palmeiras when his cross took a touch of first defender Agustin Giay and then goalkeeper Weverton before finding its way into the back of the net.

‘It’s important to do something big, that’s what the coach asks of me on the pitch. So I just try to do my best to help the team as much as I can. That’s what I tried to do in this game and I’m happy we could win.

‘We play a lot of games so one game can be bad and then the second can be much better. The most important thing is to deal with that and to just stay focused on the team and trying to give our best, to make yourself better game by game. That’s what I try to do.’

Having already faced Flamengo in the group stage and Palmeiras in this quarter-final, Chelsea will now face Brazilian opposition for the third time at the 2025 Club World Cup, when we meet Fluminense in the semis. That game will kick-off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday 8 July.

Those previous experiences of facing teams from Brazil in the USA leave Gusto in no doubt that it will be another difficult challenge but, having come this far in the competition, his sights are firmly set on continuing our run all the way to the final.

‘The quarter-final was very tough, the Brazilian teams are doing very good during this competition,’ our full-back continued. ‘We will play against another one in the semi-finals, so we just need to be ourselves, dig deep and try to win.

‘It’s not enough yet, we still have a semi-final to play, to try to get to the final and try to win this trophy. Now we just have to believe in ourselves and to give our best.’

Tickets are available to see our Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense in New Jersey and can be purchased from FIFA here. You can also watch the game live anywhere in world via DAZN by signing up for free here.