(Reuters) — Chelsea were crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions for the first time thanks to Kai Havertz‘s extra-time penalty to beat Brazilian champions Palmeiras on Saturday.
Havertz, scorer of the winning goal in last season’s European Champions League final, was cool to convert the penalty in the 117th minute after Palmeiras’ Luan touched the ball with his hand.
Palmeiras’ suffering was completed when Luan was sent off in added time for a desperate tackle on Havertz.
Credit: Francois Nel / Getty Images
The final at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, where some 15,000 Palmeiras fans outnumbered Chelsea, was slow to get going.
Chelsea, who lost the 2012 final to Corinthians in Brazil, were not at their best but took the lead in the 55th minute through a Romelu Lukaku header.
But Palmeiras struck back shortly after, when Thiago Silva handled the ball and Raphael Veiga converted the penalty to drive the Brazilian fans wild.
Crédito: KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea seemed the most likely winner after that, but the penalty shootout loomed until Luan’s raised arm was hit by a shot from Cesar Azpilicueta and, following a VAR check, the penalty was awarded and Havertz made the rest.
Since taking over just over a year ago, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has seen Chelsea become European and world champions in this club competition.
Palmeiras were aiming to become the fourth Brazilian club to win the title.
Raphael Veiga. Credit: Francois Nel / Getty Images
