By FRANCO PANIZO
Chelsea’s dreams of finishing the year with some more hardware are one step closer to becoming a reality.
Chelsea defeated Mexican club Monterrey, 3-1, on Thursday to advance to the FIFA Club World Cup final. Two goals in the first three minutes of the second half paved the way for the win, with Fernando Torres scoring in the 46th minute and Juan Mata adding another in the 48th. Chelsea went up 3-0 thanks to an own goal by Darvin Chavez, but the Mexicans spoiled the cleansheet when Aldo De Nigris netted in injury time.
The UEFA Champions League winners will face Brazilian club Corinthians in the tournament final on Sunday.
Here are more stories from around the globe:
USWNT ROUT CHINA IN PENULTIMATE 2012 MATCH
The U.S. Women’s National Team just continue to roll in their Fan Tribute Tour. Playing in the penultimate match of the tour, the Americans defeated China, 4-0, at BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday night, with two goals coming from Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd and Amy Rodrgiuez adding one each. The U.S. faces China one last time in the tour finale at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. on Saturday.
SAO PAULO WINS COPA SUDAMERICANA AMID UGLY SCENES
The Copa Sudamericana final was supposed to be a showcase of some of the best talent South America has to offer. It instead proved to be soccer at its worst. Sao Paulo were crowned champions of the Copa Sudamericana at home on Wednesday night, but only because Argentinian club Tigre refused to come out for the second half of the game after they accused Brazilian security officials of beating and pulling guns on them during halftime. The ugly scenes gave Brazil a black eye just 18 months away from hosting the 2014 World Cup, and raised questions about security in the country.
MESSI ADDS TWO MORE GOALS TO RECORD
Leo Messi’s goal-scoring record in a calendar year is now at 88. Messi scored twice to lead Barcelona to a 2-0 win over second-tier club Cordoba on Wednesday, with the goals coming just days after he broke Gerd Mueller’s long-standing record. Messi scored on each side of halftime.
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Think Chelsea will win the FIFA Club World Cup against Corinthians? Do you see the USWNT ending their Fan Tribute Tour undefeated? Concerned over Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup after hearing about the ugly scenes in the Copa Sudamericana final?
Share your thoughts below.