AFP, Philadelphia:
A late own-goal by goalkeeper Weverton took Chelsea through to the Club World Cup (CWC) semi-finals on Friday as the Premier League side edged Palmeiras of Brazil 2-1 in a last-eight tie that had been lit up by a moment of magic from young star Estevao Willian.
The teenage Brazil forward, who will join Chelsea after the tournament, was eager to impress his future employers and his brilliant 53rd-minute finish cancelled out Cole Palmer’s opener in Philadelphia.
But a deflected Malo Gusto cross went in off Palmeiras ‘keeper Weverton in the 83rd minute to take Chelsea through to a semi-final showdown with another Brazilian side in Fluminense.
“In the first half we were in control of the game and could have scored more than one goal,” said Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, dismissing suggestions his team had been fortunate.
“They started the second half better than us and the dynamic of the game changed, but then in the last 25 minutes we were in control again and I think we deserved to win without being lucky.”
The scoreline was a repeat of Chelsea’s victory when the teams met in the final of the Club World Cup under the tournament’s old guise in 2022.
“Overall Chelsea was better. They have better players and a better coach,” admitted Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira.
“They were lucky with the way they scored the second goal but it can happen in football and we need to accept it and move on.”
Chelsea will now be fancied to go on and reach the final, with Fluminense standing in their way in the last four at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday.
If not everyone has yet been won over by the tournament, the intensity levels on the pitch are rising as it reaches the business end and there was a big-game atmosphere in Philadelphia.
Lincoln Financial Field was almost sold out, with 65,782 fans in attendance despite much of the city having emptied out for the July 4 holiday and long weekend.
