Lukaku goal is enough to set up Chelsea vs Palmeiras Club World Cup final

February 9 – Europe and South America will again compete for the global club crown after Chelsea eliminated Asian champions Al Hilal 1-0 in a lively semi-final to set up a Club World Cup decider against Palmeiras from Brazil. 

A first-half close-range goal from much-criticised striker Romelu Lukaku was enough for the European champions to defeat the Saudi Arabian giants.

The Belgian’s strike came after some sloppy defending from the Saudi rearguard, but Al Hilal proved a fine match for Chelsea in the second half. The London side were again sloppy after their difficult FA Cup tie against Plymouth at the weekend.

The Saudis came close to equalising and taking the game into extra time but were denied by an excellent Kepa Arrizabalaga, who produced a string of saves midway through the second half to keep a clean sheet.

Al Hilal coach Leonardo Jardim had set up his team well to stifle Chelsea, but Lukaku remained a threat and his 32ndminute strike was enough on an evening that Chelsea were too often guilty of losing possession too easily.

Defeat condemned Al Hilal to the third-place playoff against Egypt’s Al Ahly.

“The team had a good attitude and the game was decided on the details, but it gave a good image of Saudi football and of our team,” said Jardim.

“In the second half, we were more offensive and the opponent lowered their intensity.”

Ten years ago Chelsea reached the final where they lost to Brazil’s Corinthians 1-0. They will be hoping for a better result on Saturday against Palmeiras, Corinthians’ crosstown rivals from Sao Paulo.

The Copa Libertadores champions defeated Al Ahly on Tuesday in the first semi-final, 2-0. Raphael Veiga and Eduardo Rodrigues got the goals either side of the break and the African champions were reduced to ten men in the final minutes of the match.

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