Chelsea continued Europe’s dominance at the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday, claiming a first-ever trophy at the annual competition.
Christian Pulisic became the first American player to lift the tournament trophy as Chelsea defeated Brazilian side Palmeiras 2-1 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday afternoon. It was the ninth-consecutive time that a European club won the tournament’s final and a third time an English Premier League side captured the trophy.
Pulisic did not start the match in Thomas Tuchel’s side, but was called into action before halftime following Mason Mount’s 32nd minute injury. The U.S. men’s national team star would tally 88 minutes in the squad as Chelsea snatched victory in the final minutes of extra time.
Romelu Lukaku broke the deadlock in the 55th minute before Palmeiras equalized in the 64th minute through Raphael Vega’s penalty kick finish.
Chelsea jumped back in front for good in the 117th minute as Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot after VAR ruled in favor of a handball in the box. Brazilian center back Luan Garcia was called for the infraction, allowing Havertz to play the hero for Chelsea in the second-consecutive tourmament final the Blues were involved in.
The 23-year-old Pulisic was lively in the match, drawing a match-high four fouls and winning six of his 11 individual duels. He also completed 87% of his passes in the match.
Chelsea returns to Premier League play on February 19th against Crystal Palace before hosting French club Lille in the first leg of its Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Good game. Amazing how good the Brazilian teams are.
Who care if it was at the death or not? It was penalty and needs to be called. The ref was consistent on both calls.
so the club world cup is decided in extra time on that call? LOL
To be fair, Palmeiris’ goal was also a penalty that was only called after a VAR review. I cringed at both to be honest. Watching VAR decide goals and results doesn’t seem much better to me than the old days of bad/missed calls sometimes deciding results.
I hear you, but it wasn’t at the death of extra time to win the Club World Cup. Terrible call resulting in a terrible ending. So much whining too throughout, barf emoji