Kepa Arrizabalaga was the Chelsea hero after saving twice in a penalty shootout as Chelsea beat Villarreal to win the UEFA Super Cup.
The Spanish goalkeeper had started on the bench but was introduced at the end of extra time to replace Edouard Mendy for the European Champions as they overcame the Europa League winners. (Euro)
The Super Cup final between Chelsea and Villarreal kicked off at 8:00PM (GMT+1) at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Chelsea, the Champions League winners began some troubles for the Unai Emery side, when on the 27th minute, Alonso swerved a lovely pass down the line, in behind Foyth and Albiol for Havertz who was running onto it.
Kai Havertz made a good cut-back, and arriving on the burst, Ziyech fiddles a finish against the ground and into the far corner.
It really appeared Villarreal were so high, or they had no defenders in the middle.
At 33 minute, Villarreal incurred and Foyth slipped a decent ball in behind for Dia. But Mendy rushed out to block his shot, and though Pedraza soon crossed from the left, Chalobah is there to see it away.
Chelsea at 36th minute won a free-kick near the left corner of the box with an opportunity to double their lead, but Ziyech swings a delicious ball out towards the far post.
However, instead of going with his head he opts to extend a leg; unable to control a shot that flies over the top from a few yards, with the keeper nowhere.
Problems seemed to surface for Chelsea when the goal scorer, Ziyech was down inside his own box with a shoulder situation, and looked in some trouble.
He hurt it trying to run with Foyth at a corner and that looked quite safe, but given his reaction, that’s not the reality of the situation. Christian Pulisic came come on to replace him.
After half-time, Villarreal improved significantly and the game did with them, but it wasn’t until the 74th minute that they equalised, Moreno playing a terrific one-two with Boulaye Dia before sweeping an equally good finish into the top corner. Both sides created half-chances in the time that remained, but extra time always looks likely when Unai Emery is managing one of teams playing, and that was indeed what came to pass.
Though Villarreal looked the fitter side, it was Chelsea who were better in the first period of extra-time. But 120 minutes was a lot to ask from either side, so penalties looked inevitable – even though Mason Mount, on as sub, forced a decent save out of Sergio Asenjo.
Despite Havertz failing to score his spot-kick, Kepa denied Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol in the shootout to gift the Blues the trophy.
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