{"id":25086,"date":"2022-02-12T15:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T20:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25086"},"modified":"2022-02-13T09:43:52","modified_gmt":"2022-02-13T14:43:52","slug":"havertzs-extra-time-penalty-wins-club-world-cup-for-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25086","title":{"rendered":"Havertz’s Extra-Time Penalty Wins Club World Cup For Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Kai Havertz secured the Club World Cup for Chelsea (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kai Havertz\u2019s last-ditch extra-time penalty sealed Chelsea\u2019s maiden Club World Cup triumph in a gritty 2-1 win over Brazilians Palmeiras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romelu Lukaku\u2019s 10th goal of the season had Chelsea hoping of a quick conclusion in their bid to complete the clean sweep of major global club trophies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Palmeiras had other ideas and Raphael Veiga\u2019s penalty sent the clash into extra-time at Abu Dhabi\u2019s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The otherwise-flawless Thiago Silva was penalized for handball for Veiga\u2019s spot-kick, in a frustrating moment for the 37-year-old Brazil defender against his compatriots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Chelsea were rewarded for refusing to tighten up in the extra 30 minutes and duly succeeding where the Blues had failed in Japan in 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmeiras defender Luan conceded the spot-kick that allowed Chelsea to seal their victory \u2013 and was then sent off with almost the night\u2019s final act, scything down Havertz as he was through on goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Brazilian club from Sao Paolo produced a fine performance of industry and endeavor in stifling Chelsea, but the Londoners\u2019 superior quality and grit eventually told.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To add to their status as Champions League and European Super Cup holders, Chelsea are now world champions for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The onlooking Roman Abramovich appeared as nervy as the smattering of Chelsea fans, at one point caught hugging his knees amid the tension of a sultry Abu Dhabi night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the billionaire has now overseen Chelsea\u2019s full house of major club titles, since purchasing the club in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As delirious Blues players danced and hugged in a circle on the pitch, manager Thomas Tuchel was even able to partake in those celebrations, having made it out to Abu Dhabi after Covid-19 self-isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 16,000 Palmeiras faithful ignited the capacity crowd some two hours before kick-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FIFA pre-match show dampened the atmosphere somewhat as the Brazilians took a breather, but the green-clad revelers were back to non-stop chanting come kick-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmeiras\u2019 low block frustrated Chelsea time and again, but also the Stamford Bridge men were unable to find any real rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Callum Hudson-Odoi\u2019s deep cross evaded everyone in the box as a clutch of players tumbled over each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Azpilicueta rose to his feet to find himself in a fine position with Palmeiras keeper Weverton possibly stranded, but the Chelsea captain lost his bearings and the chance evaporated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmeiras talent Dudu whipped over the bar after a smart spinning effort, then spurned a major chance by firing just wide after a quick break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mason Mount was then forced to trudge disconsolately out of the contest, in perhaps a recurrence of the leg issue that he had picked up in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Plymouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea\u2019s match-specific system demanded Thiago Silva act as playmaker, and his raking balls were often close to bisecting the Brazilians\u2019 defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lack of movement and fluidity ahead though eventually led him to thump in a long-range effort that nearly caught Weverton cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Palmeiras stopper pushed the ball around the post at full stretch, but Chelsea could make nothing happen from the resulting corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea\u2019s sparse fans only managed to make themselves heard for the first time in the opening moments of the second-half, such was the Palmeiras dominance in the stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first time Chelsea broke in behind Palmeiras on the flank, the Blues took the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hudson-Odoi\u2019s first left-footed cross of the match proved a real peach and Lukaku\u2019s finish just as sweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blues expected to take control but were quickly pegged back instead, as the previously-flawless Silva was punished for a handball in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silva handled when battling with Gustavo Gomez for a clearing header, and the penalty was awarded after a VAR check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veiga showed no nerves when rifling the spot-kick home, sending Mendy the wrong way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither side could force any further breakthrough in an edgy end to normal time, and so an extra 30 minutes rolled around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea set about trying to win the title without any need for penalties and Pulisic almost forced a second Blues goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The USA forward\u2019s cut-back was deflected goalwards, only to loop onto the bar and bounce to safety for the relieved Palmeiras defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just when the tie looked headed for a shoot-out however, Chelsea won an extra-time spot-kick instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luan was penalized for blocking a shot with his hand after another VAR review and Havertz kept his cool to fire home in style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luan was then sent off to add insult to his personal injury, but the Blues deserved their win in the end, and the chance to complete their trophy cabinet.<\/p>\n

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