Kai Havertz who scored Chelseas’ 2021 Champions League winner also netted the winner against Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final
By Kehinde Okeowo
Premier League outfit Chelsea won their first Club World Cup after an extra-time goal from German Kai Havertz earned them the victory over Brazilian side Palmeiras.
Thomas Tuchel thereafter dedicated the World Cup triumph to the club owner, Roman Abramovich.
He said, “It is for him, there is no doubt that it is for him.
“We met quickly on the pitch after the final, he said ‘congratulations’ and I said ‘congratulations, it’s for you, it’s your club and it’s your input and your passion that made this ‘possible’ and I’m happy to be part of it.
“So of course the trophy is for him.”
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It was a barren first half as both sides could not break each other down despite the endeavours of the strikers, the defence and goalkeepers came on top.
However, Chelsea opened the scoring in the 54th minute when Romelu Lukaku scored a header from an assist from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Raphael Veiga levelled from the spot in the 64th minute after Thiago Silva was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and a review by the referee from the pitch-side monitor confirmed it.
And when it was looking like the game was heading for a shootout, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Luan was also judged to have handled the ball in the box.
Kai Havertz stepped forward to fire home the resultant penalty in the 117th-minute to put Chelsea back in the lead and ultimately secure a victory for the London club.
Palmeiras defender Luan was sent off in added time, after being booked for the penalty that sealed the Blues victory.
Much like in their semi final win against Odion Ighalo’s club, Al-Hilal, Chelsea dominated possession but struggled to create chances in the final third for much of the final in the United Arab Emirate
Antonio Rudiger was arguably man of the match, though, showing why the Blues are now willing to make him the highest-paid defender in the club’s history.
Tuchel and his players will now be targeting more silverware, with Chelsea set to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
The victory means Chelsea have now won every possible trophy after Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich bought the club.
