Our place in the 2025 Club World Cup – revamped to include 32 teams and moved to the summer – was secured more than four years ago. It was that night in Porto which earned the Blues a spot, with the previous four Champions League winners invited to the tournament.

Enzo Maresca's side were drawn into Group D, which reflected the truly global nature of the competition. It included Flamengo from Brazil, Tunisian side ES Tunis, and MLS club Los Angeles FC. It was against the latter that our Club World Cup campaign began...

Chelsea 2-0 LAFC | Group D | Mercedes-Benz Stadium

After a couple of days in Philadelphia, where the Blues were based for the majority of the group stage, a short plane ride was taken to Atlanta for our tournament opener. It went largely to plan for Maresca and his players.

Pedro Neto opened the scoring for the Blues with a fine turn and finish after being put through by Nicolas Jackson, before summer signing Liam Delap was introduced in the second period and delivered an excellent cross for Enzo Fernandez to fire home.

Another debut was awarded in the final minutes, as Dario Essugo replaced Moises Caicedo to ensure the Blues made a winning start to the tournament.

It was then back to Philadelphia, where our remaining two Group D matches would take place.

Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea | Group D | Lincoln Financial Field

Shortly after the Blues returned to the City of Brotherly Love, a heatwave ensnared the East Coast. Temperatures reached 39°C, which forced Maresca to shorten his training sessions and, arguably, favoured sides more acclimatised to the sweltering temperatures.

One of those, Flamengo, were next up at Lincoln Financial Field. The Blues made a strong start as Pedro Neto took advantage of a defensive mistake to put us ahead inside 13 minutes, but the Brazilian side responded after the interval.

Bruno Henrique levelled the game just after the hour mark, and Danilo added a second three minutes later. Nicolas Jackson was then dismissed and Flamengo added a third goal late on to secure their victory.

With group positions decided on a head-to-head basis, it meant we could no longer finish top.

ES Tunis 0-2 Chelsea | Group D | Lincoln Financial Field

If the Blues could avoid defeat against the Tunisian champions, a place in the knockout stage was assured.

Maresca opted to make several changes to his side, with Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall featuring for the first time at the tournament.

Tunis didn't make it easy, but Tosin broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time with a header from an Enzo Fernandez free-kick. Delap added an instant second – a stunning pirouette, touch and finish – to open his Blues account.

Maresca's side controlled the second period and, in the final moments, added gloss to the scoreline as Tyrique George came off the bench to net his first of the tournament. Our place in the round of 16 was secure.

Benfica 1-4 Chelsea | Round of 16 | Bank of America Stadium

Miami was our base for the following nine days. The Blues trained in the Magic City and then travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina, for our first game against European opposition. It proved a game that, for several reasons, will live long in the memories of supporters.

Having controlled the opening half, the deadlock was broken in the 64th minute when skipper Reece James whipped home a free-kick. We looked all set for victory, until a thunderstorm in the area forced the game to be suspended.

Almost two hours passed before play resumed, and there was a late twist as Benfica were awarded a controversial 95th-penalty following a VAR review, which Angel Di Maria converted. Extra time was needed.

Early into the additional 30 minutes, Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni was dismissed. We then took full control and goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Dewsbury-Hall ensured our victory, and a game that kicked off at 4pm local time was finally brought to a close just before 9pm.

Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea | Quarter-Final | Lincoln Financial Field

It was back to Philadelphia for our last-eight encounter, and for the second time in the tournament we faced Brazilian opposition. Reaching the semi-finals was the target, but there was also intrigue as to how future Blue Estevao would perform.

We made a strong start as an excellent pass from Trevoh Chalobah enabled Cole Palmer to spin away, avoid two defenders, and pass the ball home with 16 minutes on the clock.

Further chances came and went for the Blues, yet they weren't taken. And after half-time, Estevao showcased his quality by drilling a shot beyond Robert Sanchez via the crossbar. It was a wonderful strike from the 18-year-old.

However, the resilience built within our squad was showcased and Maresca's side fought back, forced an own goal from Agustin Giay, and secured our passage to the semi-finals.

Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea | Semi-Final | MetLife Stadium

So, to New York. One of the world's most famous cities and a fitting location to base ourselves for the last week of the tournament.

Fluminense, for whom Blues legend Thiago Silva lined up in defence, were our opponents in the semi-finals. Again, the heat was a factor, with temperatures hitting 35°C at MetLife Stadium.

Yet Maresca's side produced arguably their most complete display of the Club World Cup to date. We controlled the game from start to finish, and two wonderful goals from Joao Pedro, who arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion a few days earlier, helped us to victory.

Now one game remains, and it's Paris Saint-Germain who stand between the Blues being crowned world champions once again.

Tickets are available to see our Club World Cup final in New Jersey so support your Blues here. You can also watch the game live anywhere in the world via DAZN by signing up for free here.