And unlike in 2012, Chelsea can call themselves Club World Champions. In the final overtime against Palmeiras, Kai Havertz’s great hour struck again.
Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras came to Abu Dhabi as underdogs – and with the intention of making life as difficult as possible for Champions League winners Chelsea. The Brazilians defended with great concentration and hardly allowed anything to happen, so despite dominating the ball, the Blues managed little.
Whether by long range shot, cross or chance, the Tuchel team, who had to continue without the injured Mount after half an hour, did not create any great chances in the first half. Before Thiago Silva became dangerous from distance (45.+1), Palmeiras even had the better chances. The Brazilians’ most promising pinprick, however, was finished too sloppily by the enterprising Dudu (28th).
Lukaku has air supremacy
The Club World Cup final, which Chelsea had lost to Palmeiras’ arch-rivals Corinthians in 2012, was not a festival of chances after the change of ends. But the CL winners now attacked noticeably more smoothly, became noticeably better – and took the lead noticeably: Hudson-Odoi crossed from the baseline to Lukaku, who broke through in the air and headed in from a few metres (55.).
For the first time the Blues looked really confident and on a really good way. But after a handball by Thiago Silva in the penalty area and Veiga’s converted penalty, everything was suddenly open again (64th). Because Palmeiras was now also hot and acted more actively. All of a sudden, the game was level until an exciting final phase, after which – Pulisic had the best chance (73rd) – no winner was determined. So extra time.
Final penalty and emergency foul: Chelsea celebrate Havertz
But the Brazilians gave the impression that they would have preferred to go straight into the penalty shoot-out – in extra time almost only Chelsea played. And just before there would have been many penalties, there was another one for the Blues. Luan had blocked Azpilicueta’s finish with his hand, much like Thiago Silva, and Havertz stepped up to the spot.
The CL final winner loaded Weverton and also swung in the winning goal of the Club World Cup final (117th). Shortly afterwards, Luan was the last man to clear the German and saw red – the plug was finally pulled on the Brazilians (120.+6).