CHELSEA reached the Club World Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal in Abu Dhabi.
The Blue will face Brazilian side Palmeiras in Saturday’s showpiece event thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s close-ranger finish.
- RESULT: Chelsea 1-0 Al-Hilal
- Chelsea XI: Kepa, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Ziyech, Lukaku, Havertz
- Al-Hilal XI: Almaiouf, Alburayk, Jang, Al Bulayhi, Shahrani, Cuellar, Kanno, Salem, Pereira, Marega, Ighalo
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FT: Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
Chelsea will go on to play Palmeiras in Saturday’s final.
Al Hilal will play Al Ahly in third/fourth place play off.
Thomas Tuchel’s team are one game away from winning their very first Club World Cup title.
FT: Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
The referee brings the game to a close.
Chelsea were in the corner looking to run the clock down towards the end there.
That tells you how close this game was in terms of score.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
90+1. Al Hilal try and find a way to create one more chance.
With acres of space available to him the ball is played out wide to the left but the pass is stray somewhat and Al Hilal cannot keep the ball in.
That may be their last chance here today.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
90. We will have three additional minutes.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
89. Leonardo Jardim’s team have challenged well today and give Chelsea a real tough battle today.
A bit more composure, not showing as much respect to their opponents in the first half and this could have been a totally different game for them.
One defensive error was punished and is proving to be the difference between the teams.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
87. Chelsea start using their experience now, keeping possession and knocking the ball around.
Mount makes a move to the byline and looks to cut it back for Lukaku but the defender cuts it out for a corner.
The corner is swung in and easily headed clear by the Saudis.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
84. Chelsea need to stand firm against the long ball looking for the flick on.
It seems to be the tactic Al Hilal are deploying to get up the pitch more quickly.
Chelsea continue to press and give their opponents no time on the ball.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
82. Long ball from the goalkeeper looking for Ighalo.
The inch perfect kick find his man who wins the header and flicks it on.
His teammates cannot collect the loose ball.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
79. Looks like Leonardo Jardim is going to try something different as he prepares his subs.
Lukaku receives the ball on the edge of the box and lays it off for Mount to shoot.
The ball is blocked and deflects for a corner.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
77. As the game ticks on, Al Hilal are having to try and attack more.
Chelsea have the opportunity of killing this game off on the counter attack.
They seem happy with slow patient play running the clock down.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
75. Chelsea need to be wary of how Al Hilal are growing into this half.
They are seeing more and more of the ball in the Chelsea final third.
The final pass is just lacking as Rudiger stands firm, blocking off his marker.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
72. Matheus Pereira swings in the corner and finds his man.
A free head at the Chelsea goal goes inches wide.
He may feel he should have done better there.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
71. Mason Mount comes on for Hakin Ziyech.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
70. Al Hilal are starting to dominate the game more.
The game is being played in the Chelsea half more and more.
Chelsea continue to press, Al Hilal continue to probe.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
67. A counter attack by Al Hilal gets the ball to Ighalo who again cannot get a shot on goal.
Kanno has a shot from distance and produces a world-class save from Kepa tipping the ball over the bar despite saving low in the bottom corner.
Brilliant save.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
66. Chelsea counter and win a corner from a deflection.
The ball is played in by Ziyech and finds the head of Havertz.
He cannot get any power on the header and the keeper saves,
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
63. The ball is slotted into Marega who looks to slot the ball away but Kepa comes out quickly and smothers the shot behind for a corner.
First real sight of goal for the Saudis.
The corner comes to nothing but Havertz commits a foul in the centre of the goal, giving another opportunity to Al Hilal.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
61. Al Hilal are looking more confident in possession.
They struggle to break down the two banks of defence offered by Chelsea.
It frustrates their opponents and they have to pass the ball back, starting over again.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
59. The ball is played to Ziyech wide of the goal outside of the box.
He cuts across the ball with a strike looking for the top corner.
The keeper saves at full stretch.
Good effort.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
58. Al Hilal take advantage of a loose Chelsea pass.
The ball is played into Ighalo’s feet who looks to get a shot away at goal.
Silva blocks the effort.
Al Hilal 0 Chelsea 1
56. The Saudis are still trying to find a foothold in this game.
Struggling to retain possession in the final third.
Chelsea are doing well to prevent them from getting any service into the front men.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
