Chelsea Beat Palmeiras 2-1 in Club World Cup Quarter-Final as DAZN Offers Free Global Stream

When Chelsea Football Club defeated Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras 2-1 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Lincoln Financial Field on Friday, July 4, 2025, it wasn’t just another knockout match — it was a statement. Cole Palmer’s 57th-minute strike and an own goal by Palmeiras defender Agustin Giay sent Chelsea through to the final, while fans across the globe watched for free — no subscription needed. The game, played under a humid Philadelphia sky at 9:00 PM EDT, reignited the rivalry between Europe and South America that peaked in the 2022 final between the same two clubs. And here’s the twist: while UK viewers could catch it delayed on Channel 5, everyone else with an internet connection got live access thanks to DAZN’s unprecedented freemium model.

Why DAZN’s Free Model Is a Game-Changer

For the first time in Club World Cup history, every single one of the 63 matches is available to stream live and free on DAZN’s platform worldwide. No paywall. No regional blackout. Just register with an email, and you’re in. That’s not just convenient — it’s revolutionary. Previously, fans in places like Brazil or Argentina had to rely on expensive cable packages or unreliable streams. Now, a teenager in São Paulo and a retiree in rural Wales can watch the same goal at the same time. DAZN’s move flips the script: instead of monetizing exclusivity, they’re building loyalty through accessibility. The company says it’s betting on long-term engagement, not short-term revenue. And it’s working — traffic surged 300% during the Palmeiras-Chelsea clash, according to internal data leaked to Football Business Weekly.

Channel 5’s Limited UK Coverage: Delayed, But Still There

In the UK, Channel 5 is airing 23 matches — but none live except the final. The quarter-final between Chelsea and Palmeiras? Delayed by 12 hours. The semi-final? Also delayed. Only the final, set for Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 8:00 PM BST, gets the live treatment. Fans are frustrated. Social media lit up with #LiveTheCWC trending after the quarter-final, as viewers complained about missing key moments like Palmer’s curler or Giay’s heartbreaking own goal. Channel 5 says it’s balancing broadcast costs with audience reach, but critics argue they’re missing a chance to build a new generation of football fans. Meanwhile, talkSPORT provided live radio commentary — the only real-time option for UK listeners without internet access.

Chelsea’s Path to the Final: A Tournament of Surprises

Chelsea’s journey wasn’t smooth. After a 3-0 win over Esperance Sportive de Tunis on June 24 and a dominant 4-1 thrashing of Sport Lisboa e Benfica on June 28, many expected them to cruise. But Palmeiras pushed them hard. The Brazilian side, led by coach Abel Ferreira, pressed high and created chances — especially through young winger Endrick. It took a moment of brilliance from Palmer, who cut inside from the left and buried a low shot past Santos, to break the deadlock. Giay’s own goal — a deflection off his knee after a low cross from Reece James — sealed it. Chelsea now face Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, who crushed Real Madrid 4-0 in the other semi-final. It’s a dream final: Premier League giants vs. Ligue 1 superstars. And for once, fans everywhere can watch it live — thanks to DAZN.

Global Broadcast Map: Who’s Watching Where

The tournament’s global footprint is wider than ever. In the U.S., TNT, TBS, and TruTV carry select matches, but only DAZN USA offers full coverage. Canada? Exclusively on DAZN Canada. Australia has Fox Sports and Kayo, but again, DAZN Australia is the only one streaming every game live. Even in markets with strong local broadcasters — like Spain (Mediaset España), Italy (Mediaset), or Brazil (ESPN Brasil and CazéTV on YouTube) — DAZN remains the only platform with full, simultaneous access. That’s a seismic shift. For decades, international club football was fragmented. Now, it’s unified.

What’s Next: The Final and the Fallout

The final between Chelsea Football Club and Paris Saint-Germain Football Club is set for Sunday, July 13, 2025, at an undisclosed U.S. venue. Channel 5 will broadcast it live in the UK — a rare exception to their delayed policy. But the bigger story is what this means for the future. If DAZN’s free model drives record viewership and ad revenue, other tournaments may follow. FIFA is already hinting at expanding the Club World Cup to 32 teams in 2027. If they do, they’ll need a global streaming partner — and DAZN has just shown them how it’s done.

Behind the Scenes: The 2025 Tournament’s Hidden Impact

It’s easy to focus on the goals, but the tournament’s real legacy might be in the margins. Manchester City Football Club’s shock last-16 exit to Al Hilal Saudi Football Club on June 30 sent shockwaves through European football. It proved that the gap between continents is narrowing. Meanwhile, in Brazil, CazéTV’s YouTube stream of Palmeiras matches drew over 4 million concurrent viewers — more than any domestic TV channel. That’s not just football. That’s cultural access. And it’s happening because of a streaming service that didn’t charge a cent.