FIFA Club World Cup Report: Al Hilal v Chelsea 09 February 2022

Chelsea booked their spot in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup after edging Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal 1-0 on Wednesday evening.

Result: Al Hilal 0-1 Chelsea

Date: 09 February 2022

Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium

The Blues were without manager Thomas Tuchel after he tested positive for Covid-19 last week, as Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz led the attack while Al-Hilal's frontline was spearheaded by former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo.

Chelsea had a bright start but they were spurning their early chances, as Lukaku came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute after using his strength in the box to have a sight at goal although goalkeeper Abdullah Al Maiouf produced a fine save.

Lukaku eventually broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark, as he smashed home a rebound in the box after a deflected cross by Havertz.

The European champions remained in attack, but the Saudi Arabian outfit were disciplined at the back and managed to go to the half-time break trailing by an odd goal.

11 - Timo Werner (Chelsea) - £272,000 a week

10 - Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - £290,000 a week

9 - N'Golo Kante (Chelsea) - £290,000 a week

8 - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - £300,000 a week

7 - Jack Grealish (Manchester City) - £300,000 a week

6 - Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) - £325,000 a week

5 - Raphael Varane (Manchester United) - £340,000 a week

4 - Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) - £350,000 a week

3 - David de Gea (Manchester United) - £375,000 a week

2 - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) - £400,000 a week

1 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - £510,000 a week

Chelsea almost had a perfect start in the second stanza after Havertz chipped Al Maiouf in the box three minutes in but his lob came off the post.

The game opened up just after the hour-mark, as Maiouf kept Al-Hilal in the game with an outstanding save in the top corner to keep out a strike by Ziyech before Moussa Marega went clear on goal at the other end for the Blue Waves but he was denied by shot-stopper Kepa in a one-on-one.

Leonardo Jardim's charges gained attacking momentum after that as Ighalo came close to snatching the equaliser 22 minutes before time with a curling shot that was tipped wide of the post by Kepa.

The Blues brought on the fresh legs of Mason Mount in place of Ziyech in the last 18 minutes but were living dangerously, with the Saudi Arabian side threatening to level matters, as the game was on the edge.

However, Chelsea were able to see out the closing stages and held on to book a spot in the final against Palmeiras while Jardim's men will take on Al Ahly in the third/fourth play-off match.