Chelsea are currently fighting for the right to be world champions. Antonio Conte’s side, who have already picked up one title this season after beating Villarreal on penalties and winning the European Super Cup, are currently trying to put another title in their closet when they meet Libertadores winner Brazilian Palmeiras in Abu Dhabi.
The Blues reached the final stage after beating Saudi Arabia El Hilal 0-1 in the semi-finals thanks to a winning goal by Romulo Lukaku. In the domestic sector, Chelsea will have a very hard time winning the championship this season as they are already 13 points away from Manchester City at the top.
On the other hand, Palmeiras reached the final after beating Egyptian Eli Eli in the semi-finals thanks to goals from Rafael Vigo and his uncle, with the two also cooking each other’s goals and being the main factors in the Brazilians ’victory. By the way, this is the first time the two teams have officially met against each other.
Club World Cup (Reuters)
Chelsea composition before the game (Reuters)Minute 1: Referee Chris Beth kicked off the match.
Minute 4, after the minutes of probing came the first attempt: Palmeiras got a great boost from tens of thousands of her fans and went forward through the right side. The ball was deflected to Danilo who kicked from a distance, but was stopped for a corner.
Callum Hudson-Audrey (Reuters)10th minute, again Palmeiras risked the goal: Roni took advantage of a mistake by Antonio Rodiger and tried to range the goal from a diagonal angle, but the ball went far from the frame.
11th minute, first chance for Chelsea: The Blues came out for the same outburst that Bill Kai Habertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi received in a comfortable position, but delayed with the kick and was stopped by the defense.
Palmeiras fans (Reuters)17th minute, Palmeiras looks great and once again came to the opportunity: the Brazilians were given a stationary position near the field, the ball was deflected for the first time, raised again from the other side and finally Roni’s shot went into the hands of Edward Mandy.
24th minute, another experience of the Brazilians: Dudu received the ball deep in the Chelsea pitch, turned the defensive player and with his right foot fired a wonderful ball, which slightly missed the connections.
26th minute, Chelsea also try to risk the goal: the Blues completely dominated, but were lacking sharpness in attack. Kai Habertz tried his hand at kicking the goal.
31st minute, early substitution at Chelsea: Mason Mount finished his part in the game and Christian Polisic came in to replace him.
Chelsea composition: Edward Mandy, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rodiger, Cesar Espiliquata, Ngolo Canta, Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Kai Haberz and Romulo Lukaku.
Palmeiras composition: Weberton, Marcus Rocha, Gustavo Gomez, Luan, Joaquin Pickers, Danilo, Se Rafael, Dudu, Rafael Viega, Gustavo Scarpa and Roni.