It was an entertaining and euphoric atmosphere at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium as Chelsea beat Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time in the Club World Cup final.
The European champions defeated the South America champions to claim their first first ever Club World Cup title.
The Blues were boosted by the arrival of head coach, Thomas Tuchel following his recovery from Covid-19.
Tuchel had not travel with the rest of the squad as a result of covid-19 restrictions which made him absent in the 1-0 semi-final win over Al-Hilal.
Chelsea entered the game aiming to become world champions for the first time in the club’s history after first loosing out 1-0 to Brazilian side, Corinthians in 2012.
Palmeiras on the other hand were also rooting to lay their hands on the trophy for the first time as well.
Chelsea started the game dominantly but as a result of Palmeiras’ resilience, many chances were not created in the first half of the game resulting in a draw at the interval.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 55th minute of the second half from a Romelu Lukaku header.
Callum Hudson-Odoi made a quick dribble from the left wing, then crossed it inside the 18-yard-box to meet Lukaku who headed it passed goalkeeper Weverton to record his 10th goal of the season.
Much pressure kept piling on Palmeiras knowing they were one zero down, but they kept on pushing for a come back.
The equalizer came in the 64th minute after a VAR review that awarded a penalty to Palmeiras following a hand ball in the box by Thiago Silva.
Viega made no mistake to strike it passed Edouard Mendy in goal.
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A similar penalty incident happened again in the second half of extra time with just three minutes left on the clock.
Cesar Azpilicueta kicked the ball directly at goal but it struck the hand of a Palmeiras player. The hand ball was checked by VAR and was adjudged to be a penalty.
Kai Havertz, the Champions League hero who helped Chelsea secure the Champions League trophy, was again on target for the Blues from the spot to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead in the 117th minute.
Havertz who won the heart of many Chelsea fans after scoring the only goal in the Champions League triumph against Manchester City, has warmed himself further to the fans by scoring the winner in the Club World Cup final.
The forward almost added to his tally, bearing down on goal but was swept off his feet by Luan, a challenge that got him red carded after another consultation with the VAR.
Winning the Club World Cup means that Chelsea have won three major trophies under German manager, Thomas Tuchel in less than two years.
It is the Blues’ 20th trophy since Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003.
Speaking after the win, Thomas Tuchel said:
“I’m a part of it and I’m happy to have the chance. We said before in the dressing room ‘what an opportunity’. We all dream to have finals like this. There are no regrets.
“In the end if you score late you need luck to do it but we were relentless and we did not stop trying.
“We did not give in. We had the lead then lost it but never stopped. It was deserved but also lucky when you score late.
“The penalty does not look nervous but for sure he [Havertz] was. You cannot not be nervous in this situation. We trusted the statistics and I’m happy for him.”
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.
Palmeiras players Dudu and Danilo were awarded the silver and bronze awards as the second and third best players of the tournament respectively.
Chelsea captain, Cesar Azpilicueta was also awarded the FIFA fair play award.
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