2-1: Chelsea, champions for the first time, come full circle

A penalty decreed by the VAR and converted by Kai Havertz, three minutes from the end of extra time, gave Chelsea the Club World Cup, the only title that was missing from their record, after defeating Palmeiras in the final in Abu Dhabi ( 2-1).

Champion of the European Champions and Super Cup in 2021, Chelsea advanced with a goal from Romelu Lukaku, but Palmeiras, who have won the last two editions of the Copa Libertadores, equalized thanks to a penalty signaled at the request of the VAR. In the end, the video arbitration ‘rewarded’ the dominance and greater ambition of the English in search of victory.

With Tuchel, already recovered from Covid

Chelsea, with Thomas Tuchel already recovered from Covid-19 after missing the semi-final against Al Hilal, were clearly dominating the match but in the first half they were unable to create chances against Palmeiras’ defensive rebound and their only recourse was shooting from a distance . The one who carried the most danger was carried out by Thiago Silva, already in the discount of the first part, and goalkeeper Weverton took him out next to the post.

Palmeiras, despite Chelsea’s initiative, did not limit themselves to defending and tried to go on the counterattack whenever they could. Dudu had two consecutive chances but in the first one his good shot, after turning to the edge of the box, went high (24′) and in the second he finished off poorly against Édouard Mendy (28′).

Mendy, starter instead of Kepa, decisive in the semifinals

The Senegalese goalkeeper, incorporated after winning the African Cup last Sunday, started to the detriment of Kepa, who stood out and was decisive against Al Hilal.

Great headed goal by Lukaku

Despite losing Mason Mount after half an hour due to physical problems, Chelsea insisted on attack in the second half and soon found their way to the goal in an action from the left by Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose cross headed it powerfully and impeccably Romelu Lukaku beating Luan Garcia on the jump (55′). The Belgian has already scored the goal that defeated Al Hilal.

Hand of Thiago Silva and Veiga draws

Chelsea had opened the can and seemed to be on track for victory, but seven minutes later a clumsy move by Thiago Silva cost them dearly. The Brazilian did his compatriots a favor by touching the ball with his hand on his jump with Gustavo Gómez and the Australian referee Chris Boath, after consulting the VAR, awarded a penalty, converted by Raphael Veiga (64′).

Chelsea felt the blow for a few seconds, but Christian Pulisic, Mount’s replacement, made it 2-1 with a shot that licked the post (73′). The English continued to dominate, but Palmeiras gave no more options.

Werner for Lukaku and Havertz sentence

Tuchel surprised by taking over from Lukaku for Timo Werner with a quarter of an hour left in regulation time. The change did not alter the course of the match and it was necessary to go to extra time.

Chelsea looked more for the goal, but without foresight, and the VAR, unlike the 1-1, played in their favor when, just three minutes from the end, he warned the referee that a point-blank shot by César Azpilicueta hit the Luan’s arm and Kai Havertz did not miss the penalty (117′). Already in the discount, Luan himself saw a direct red for knocking down Havertz when he was escaping alone.

Chelsea closes the cycle and, after winning the Champions League against Manchester City (1-0) and the European Super Cup against Villarreal on penalties, in Abu Dhabi they won the Club World Cup for the first time.