MADRID, 12 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Chelsea was proclaimed champion of the Club World Cup for the first time in its history this Saturday after beating Brazilian Palmeiras (2-1) thanks to a goal from Kai Havertz in extra time, in a final played at the Mohammed Bin stadium Zayed from Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
Thomas Tuchel’s team took the lead ten minutes into the second half with a sensational header from Romelu Lukaku, who took advantage of his teammate Hudson-Odoi’s measured delivery. However, Palmeiras equalized on a penalty in the 64th minute with a goal from Raphael Veiga that took the match to extra time.
It was then that the English, who won the Champions League with a goal from Kai Havertz, entrusted themselves to the German again to win a title. This time he went for a penalty, three minutes to 120 and with the pressure of becoming world champion. Havertz adjusted with his left foot to the left post and completed the ‘blue’ victory.
In this way, Chelsea wins its first Club World Cup after having failed in its only attempt in 2012, at the hands of Corinthians. In fact, that is the last final –since then– in which the European representative did not win the title.
For its part, Al Ahly finished third in the World Cup after thrashing Al Hilal 4-0. The Egyptians took an early lead with a goal from Yasser Ibrahim, who repeated after a quarter of an hour. In addition, two expulsions in the Saudi team finished paving the victory before half an hour. Ahmed Radwan and El Soleya completed the victory in the second half. The Ahly repeats the same position of last year.