Al-Hilal 0-1 Chelsea: Blues scrape past Saudi side for chance to lift Club World Cup

Chelsea will meet Brazilian side Palmeiras within the Club World Cup ultimate after edging past Al-Hilal on the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Blues will now look to lift the one trophy that has evaded them throughout Roman Abramovich’s 19-year possession of the membership.

Boss Thomas Tuchel missed the sport as he was isolating after testing constructive for Covid-19.

Chelsea dominated from the beginning towards the Saudi Arabian side, and their breakthrough got here from Lukaku simply after the half-hour mark.

Kai Havertz’s left-wing cross was inadvertently headed into the Belgian’s path by Yasser Al Shahrani, and he rifled residence from point-blank vary.

It was Lukaku’s ninth aim of the season and ended a six-game drought, after he missed a few alternatives earlier within the match.

Two minutes after the break, Havertz burst by on aim and clipped the publish from a decent angle, regardless of having Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech for assist within the space.

Asian Champions Al-Hilal barely threatened till Mohamed Kanno shot over from distance after combining nicely with former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Matheus Pereira.

Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then denied Moussa Marega from eight yards out, whereas Odion Ighalo and Kanno noticed pictures blocked as Chelsea struggled to put the sport to mattress.

But the European Champions held on in the long run and, in Saturday’s ultimate, could have the chance to avenge defeat on this competitors a decade after their final look.