Chelsea have been crowned Club World Cup champions for the first-time in their history thanks to Kai Havertz’s extra-time penalty during Saturday’s showpiece with Brazilian outfit Palmeiras.
Havertz stepped up to score from the penalty spot on 117 minutes after captain Cesar Azpilicueta had a shot blocked by the hand of Palmeiras centre back Luan.
The Germany international, scorer of the winning goal in last season’s UEFA Champions League final, was as cool as a cucumber as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to finish into the bottom left-hand corner.
The final in the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, where around 15,000 Palmeiras fans outnumbered Chelsea supporters, took a while to come to life.
Chelsea, who lost the 2012 final to Brazilian side Corinthians, were not at their best but took the lead in the 55th minute when Romelu Lukaku powered home a header.
But Palmeiras hit back shortly afterwards when Thiago Silva was adjudged to have handled the ball and Raphael Veiga converted from the spot to send the Brazilian fans wild.
Chelsea looked the more likely winners after that but a penalty shootout loomed until Luan handled was deemed to have handled inside his own penalty box, following a VAR check.
Things went from bad to worse for Luan and Palmeiras when he was sent off in the final moments of extra time following a lash ditch tackle on Havertz too.
Thomas Tuchel ‘relieved’ after Club World Cup success
Since taking charge little over a year ago Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who was in attendance after missing the semi-final because of a positive Covid-19 test, has now led them to European and world glory.
‘Of course I was relieved,’ the Blues boss said post-match after their victory. ‘You need luck to score late but we were relentless, we kept trying and we did not stop.
‘We did not give in and we never stopped attacking, so it is deserved but also lucky if you score so late.’
On Havertz’s winning strike, Tuchel added: ‘The penalty does not look nervous but of course he was nervous. You cannot not be nervous in a moment like this. But he has a good [penalty] record and we trusted the statistics.
‘I am a part [of the success] and I am happy to have the chance. We said in the dressing room before what an opportunity, everybody is jealous of us to play in a game like this, and as boys we all dreamed of being in these finals.
‘It is very special, We wanted to play with no regrets but there are still things to win and it never stops.’
