Friday 11 February 2022, 20:00

Havertz the hero as Chelsea conquer the world

  • Chelsea beat Palmeiras 2-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup final

  • Kai Havertz settled a tight contest with a penalty deep into extra time

  • Ah Ahly thrashed Al Hilal to finish third

Chelsea 2-1 Palmeiras

Goals: Romelu Lukaku (55), Raphael Veiga pen (64), Kai Havertz (117) Alibaba Cloud Match Award: Antonio Rudiger


Al Hilal 0-4 Al Ahly

Goals: Yasser Ibrahim (8 & 17), Ahmed Abdelkader (40), Amro Elsoulia (64). Alibaba Cloud Match Award: Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly).


The quotes

"It means a lot to us. We know we didn’t improve in terms of the colour of the medal, but we are happy and our fans are happy. We got here against all odds considering the absences we had. We showed Al Ahly spirit. The bronze medal this year means a lot more to me than the one last year." Pitso Mosimane. Al Ahly coach


Moments

Doing what he does best Lukaku had cut a frustrated figure in the first half. Shortly into the second, however, Kai Havertz crossed from the left and the Belgian headed home from close range for his second goal of UAE 2021. Veiga handles the pressure It was arguably the biggest game in Palmeiras’s imperial history. The Palmeirenses were in Abu Dhabi en masse. They were 1-0 down. When they got a penalty, though, their No23 didn’t hesitate. Up he duly stepped to equalise with aplomb.

A Blue for the big occasion Already assured of a place in history as Chelsea's match-winner in the UEFA Champions League final, Kai Havertz cemented his place in Blues folklore by securing the club's first world title. The German stepped up with 117 minutes on the clock to beat Weverton from the spot, albeit narrowly, just as a shootout appeared inevitable.


Stats

9 - Chelsea ensured European outfits have won nine consecutive FIFA Club World Cups. 4 - Al Ahly tied the record for the biggest victory in a third-place play-off. River Plate also won 4-0 against Kashima Antlers in 2018.


Further reading