Chelsea booked their spot in the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup with Romelu Lukaku’s strike earning the Blues 1-0 win over Al-Hilal.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
Both teams got the game underway on equal footing but it was Al-Hilal who had the first shot on target which did not trouble Chelsea’s stopper Kepa.
Cesar Azpilicueta teed up Hakim Ziyech through on goal but the latter’s effort flew over the bar with the Champions League holders on the hunt for the opener.
Romelu Lukaku, leading the line for the Blues, forced two saves out of Al-Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Almuaiouf in quick succession following which the breakthrough finally arrived.
It was Lukaku who had the ball come onto his feet to much luck after Kai Havertz’s attempted cross ricocheted back off an Al-Hilal defender for Lukaku to find the back of the net.
Chelsea started the second period strongly and could have had a second goal to show for their dominance only for Havertz to hit the post with his strike.
Through to the final!
Here we come.💙#ClubWorldCup@FIFAWorldCup @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/rtUZFYnI7D— Kepa Arrizabalaga (@kepa_46) February 9, 2022
Al-Hilal proved to be efficient going forward in the final stages of the game but Kepa and the Chelsea backline were at their best to keep the scoreline intact and help their side get past the finish line to claim the win.
