By Our Correspondent With Agency Report

2021 UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea, on Saturday secured their third silverware in a football calendar year as they beat Palmeiras 2-1 in extra time to win their first FIFA Club World Cup trophy, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Kai Havertz again was instrumental after he converted a penalty deep into extra time to clinch cup for Chelsea for the first time in their history over Palmeiras.

Havertz was the hero in May 2021 when his first half goal handed Chelsea the 2021 UEFA Champions League diadem as they defeated rivals, Manchester City in the final played in Portugal.

The Saturday final appeared destined for a penalty shoot-out after a drab extra period, but the Blues got the opportunity to go in front again and they took it.

Romelu Lukaku initially put Chelsea ahead with an excellent header just before the hour, but Palmeiras levelled nine minutes later through a Raphael Veiga spot-kick.

Havertz then kept his cool from the spot in the 117th minute as Chelsea were crowned world champions for the first time.

Palmeiras arguably edged the first half with Dudu proving particularly lively, curling just over at the end of a mazy run in the 24th minute before then shooting wide while off balance when played in on goal by Ze Rafael soon after.

Chelsea, who lost Mason Mount to an innocuous-looking injury, did finish the half better, though.

Thiago Silva forced his Brazil team-mate Weverton into a save from distance, before then heading over from six yards out at the following corner.

Lukaku made no such error, however, meeting Callum Hudson-Odoi’s left-wing cross with a bullet header into the top-left corner early in the second period.

But their lead did not last long. Silva was penalised for handball in the box and Veiga confidently swept home the resulting penalty.

Christian Pulisic wasted a good opportunity in the 73rd minute, that miss ultimately leading to extra time.

Neither side offered much of an attacking threat, but Chelsea got their chance right at the end when Luan blocked Cesar Azpilicueta’s shot with his hand, and Havertz made no mistake from 12 yards.

Luan was then sent off for hacking Havertz down as the last man, compounding a heart-breaking ending for Palmeiras, each of those decisions having been given following a VAR check.

The last time Chelsea were in the Club World Cup 10 years ago, they were beaten in the final by Corinthians – and for periods of Saturday’s game they were arguably second best.

It is the 3rd crown for Thomas Tuchel and his Chelsea players after they won the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup last year.