Chelsea closed the circle and won the last title that was missing in the Roman Abramovich era: the long-awaited Club World Cup, with which it is baptized as the best team on the planet. They defeated, in extra time, 2-1 a very combative Palmeiras, who gave everything, but ended up succumbing to a penalty forced by Azpilicueta and transformed by Havertz.
CHE
PAL
Chelsea
Mendy, Christensen (Sarr, 90′), Thiago SIlva, Rüdiger, Azpiliciueta, Kante, Kovacic (Ziyech, 90′), Hudson-Odoi (Saúl, 75′), Mount (Pulisic, 30′), Havertz and Lukaku (Timo Werner, 75′).
palm trees
Weverton, Gustavo Gómez, Luan, Piquerez, Marcos Rocha (Deyverson, 117′), Danilo, Zé Rafael (Jailson, 59′), Raphael Veiga (Atuesta, 76′), Dudú (Rafael Navarro, 102′) and Rony (Wesley , 76′)
Referee
Christopher Beath (Australia). TA Havertz (117′) / Wesley (104′), Luan (115′), Atuesta (115′), coach Abel Ferreira (120′). TR: Luan (120′).
goals
1-0, Lukaku, min 54; 1-1 Raphael Veiga (p), min. 64; 2-1 Havertz (p), min 116.
Incidents
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi). 32,800 spectators.
The Blues hammered from the opening whistle in a predictable tactical scenariowith Verdao withdrawn with a line of five behind and feeling comfortable with their reactive football to reduce spaces.
Tuchel’s men, however, were unable to transform their absolute majority in possession (69% in the first 45 minutes) into scoring chances. And his only two completions between the three sticks did not come until injury time, one of them with a missile from Thiago Silva, that his partner in the Seleçao, Wevertonsent to corner.
Chelsea showed the seams. He could squeeze, with his high block pressure, but he didn’t choke. Without clairvoyance in creation (with Palmeiras very well in aid), he was going to risk it in some ax of Lukaku (extremely marked by a defensive web) or set pieces. For their part, the Brazilians, accustomed to rejoicing in suffering, continued to adhere to their doctrine of piecework knowing that his options were to take advantage of a single ball. Therefore, the 0-0 break sounded like glory to them.
LUKAKU’S HEAD
Something changed. Chelsea, having the perception that the final could be complicated, put one more gear: in the circulation of the ball, in the pressure, in the intimidation. And Palmeiras offered the first symptoms of distress.
The Blues smelled blood. Hudson-Odoi, who dominated the left flank at will, took a millimeter center. And Lukaku, in his natural space, nodded with authority in the presence of Piquerez and Luan. An unstoppable shot, authentic ‘9’.
THE RULING OF THIAGO SILVA
The Verdao was groggy, sailing without a north… and Thiago Silva’s silly hand appeared. Incomprehensibly, the Brazilian center-back extended his arm in the presence of Gustavo Gomez and touched the ball. The carioca is a repeat offender in this type of play (with the Seleçao and when he played for PSG). At 37 years old he made a youthful mistake. The VAR certified the maximum penalty, which Rafael Veiga masterfully transformed by tricking Mendythe best goalkeeper in the world.
The tie rejuvenated Palmeiras, who thought they could win. Abel Ferreira recomposed the midfield with Jailson and Atuesta, more muscle and less quality, since he sacrificed Raphael Veiga. And Tuchel played it by taking out his two best players, Hudson-Odoi and Lukaku, and bringing in the criticized Timo Werner and former mattress player Saúl. They were tactical readjustments with extra time in mind.
AZPILICUETA DECANTED THE FINAL
In the added half hour, Chelsea was better. He recovered his temper, criteria and daring. He warned with a ball to Werner’s crossbar (if he entered it would have been annulled by the VAR for offside) and became the owner of the match.
Palmeiras, always defending themselves with order, just looked at the clockJ. And there came the key play of the match, Azpilicueta finished off and the ball touched Luan’s hands. The Blues protested and the VAR showed the way to the maximum penalty. Havertz did not forgive. He scored and decided the final.