Chelsea 1-0 Al Hilal: 5 things we learnt in Club World Cup semifinal
FootballKai Havertz scores extra-time winner as Chelsea win Club World Cup for the first time
- Chelsea are now Champions of the world after beating Palmeiras in extra time to win the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi
- Kai Havertz slotted in a penalty in deep in the second half of extra time after it ended in a 1-1 stalemate in the first 90 minutes
- This was the first time the Blues are clinching the club world cup, and the win completes the trophy cabinet under the Roman Abramovic era
Chelsea won the Club World Cup for the first time ever, as Kai Havertz scored in injury time to secure a win over Brazilian outfit Palmeiras on Saturday, February 12.
In a close-knit encounter in Abu Dhabi, the Blues needed to dig deep to defeat a classy Palmeiras side, who pegged them back in normal time after Lukaku had put the European winners in the lead with a header.
How the game went
Similar to their semi-final victory over Al-Hilal, the Blues were thoroughly dominant in possession, and Palmeiras players were at times fine with sitting back and absorbing the pressure from the European champions.
For this reason, chances were few and far between, particularly for Chelsea, who were expected to exhibit the attacking potency that saw them win the Champions League last season.
The situation did not get better for Chelsea when Mason Mount had to end his evening early with an injury, leaving Romelu Lukaku isolated upfront.
Regardless, Chelsea eventually found the opener nine minutes after the break and it came from their robust Belgian Lukaku.
Lukaku benefited from a pin-point cross from Callum Hudson Odoi to power home a header before Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton knew too much about it.
Chelsea came close to a second when Christian Pulisic shot from distance after a lay off from Lukaku but a second goal was not forthcoming.
Palmeiras eventually got back into the game, albeit via the penalty spot, as Raphael Veiga levelled from 12 yards after Chelsea defender Thiago Silva was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
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FootballThe game was forced into extra time after a 1-1 draw at full time, and with the teams cancelling each other out in the added 30 minutes, it almost seemed like that club world cup final was destined for a penalty shootout.
But there was more drama to come deep in extra time as Chelsea got a penalty after Palmeiras player Luan was deemed to have handled the ball.
Kai Havertz made no mistake from 12 yards and his penalty sent Chelsea fans into a frenzy.
Luan was given his marching orders in the final minute for a foul on Havertz as Chelsea held to win the coveted piece of silverware.