FIFA Club World Cup final: Havertz gets winner as Chelsea beat Palmeiras 2-1

Premier League side Chelsea engaged in a long-drawn and hard-fought contest with Brazilian side Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Saturday, but the club from London emerged the victors after a dramatic period of extra-time.

Chelsea dominated possession for most of the first half but failed to find the back of the net against the well-organised and dogged Palmeiras defence. The match remained 0-0 at half-time and it looked as if both teams could snatch a goal.

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The breakthrough from the Blues came shortly after the beginning of the second-half when Chelsea’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku converted via a powerful header from a Callum Hudson Odoi cross into the box in the 55th minute.

However, Chelsea’s lead did not last too long as Palmeiras was awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute because of a hand-ball by Thiago Silva, and the penalty stood after a VAR check.

Veiga converted for the club from Sao Paulo, and with the match at 1-1, the game fell back into its rhythm, with Chelsea dominating possession and Palmeiras putting in some solid defensive work.

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The match remained 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes, paving the way for an exciting period of extra-time.

Despite attempts to force chances and score, neither Palmeiras nor Chelsea managed to break the deadlock for much of extra-time. The match defining moment came in the 117th minute when Chelsea were awarded a penalty for a handball by Palmeiras’ Luan.

Cheslea’s German youngster, Kai Havertz, stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly converted to give Chelsea lead deep into extra-time.

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There was further drama in store in stoppage time when Luan made a wild lunge for the ball in a bid to stop Havertz from getting through on goal, and the resulting foul saw the Brazilian centre-back sent off.

The game ended 2-1 in Chelsea’s favour, marking another trophy win for manager Thomas Tuchel. Kai Havertz, who scored the UEFA Champions League winning goal, was again the hero for Chelsea, and the Blues will return to London delighted.