Romelu Lukaku On Wednesday, Chelsea scored a much-needed goal as they beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 1-0. club world cup Final against South American champion Palmeiras. Chelsea’s club-record signing failed to score in five games before arriving in Abu Dhabi, and the Blues are looking for the 28-year-old to find his best form in the second half of the season. The Belgium international jumped from close range on 33 minutes after a defensive lapse to send Chelsea into Saturday’s final, the second in three years between the English and Brazilian teams.
Chelsea may join Manchester United and Liverpool as the third English team to win the Club World Cup, having finished as runners-up to Corinthians in their first appearance in 2012.
They may have coach Thomas Tuchel in the dugout over the weekend, with the German still back home after testing positive for Covid-19.
Al Hilal, coached by former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, will face a third-place play-off against Egypt’s Al Ahly as Chelsea’s win made it 12 for Europe against Asian clubs in the tournament.
Al Hilal struggled early to test Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, despite the presence of former Manchester United and Watford forward Odion Ighalo, with former Porto striker Moussa Marega in the attack.
The Spaniard retained his place in the line-up despite the return of Edouard Mendy after his victory in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Hakim Ziyech fired a shot narrow and Lukaku failed to make proper contact with Cesar Azpilicueta’s low ball across the goal, but there was no shortage of serve for the Belgian.
He intercepted a defender to hit Abdullah al-Mayouf directly, but Lukaku was given the simplest chances when a failed clearance from Yasser al-Shahrani left him to convert in the opener.
Kai Havertz, whose cross led to Lukaku’s goal, blocked an attempt outside the post after jumping into the area early in the second half.
Ziyach pulled off a fine stop from Al-Mayouf before Al Hilal, who put Al Jazeera ahead by six in the previous round, shone to life around the late hour.
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Arrizabalaga ran from his line to block from Marega and then made a sensational one-handed save, flying to his left to keep Mohamed Kanno’s curling effort 20 meters away.
Matthias Pereira had tormented Chelsea in his last outing against them while at West Brom last season, but the Brazilian’s record fizzing effort in side-netting was the last ray of hope for the four-time Asian Champions League winners.
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