Soccer
Chelsea edge Palmeiras to reach last four
Palmeiras goal: Estevao (53)
Chelsea goals: Cole Palmer (16), Weverton OG (83)
A late Weverton own-goal saw Chelsea eke out victory over Palmeiras in their FIFA Club World Cup™ quarter-final at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Enzo Maresca’s side will now take on Fluminense FC at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Tuesday.
Chelsea took a lead in at half-time thanks to Cole Palmer, who conned his way inside two opponents and stroked the ball into the bottom corner. Palmeiras responded in second-half infancy, Estevao thumping the ball in off the crossbar from the tightest of angles.
The Blues found a fortuitous winner when Malo Gusto’s cross-shot was deflected by Agustin and went in off Weverton’s arm.
Quotes
“It was a tough game as we expected, we needed a lot of energy because we are at the end of the season and they are at the beginning so the energy is different but I want to congratulate the players because they were very good.... Happy because we won, happy because Estevao scored, so it’s a perfect night.”
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea head coach
[On his goal] "We've been working on it in training. I saw the space and I went there [and scored]"... [On Maresca's half-time message] "He said: 'Keep calm, keep doing lots of passes, and we should be alright.'" [On Estevao] "You can see he's a top player, so we're excited for him [to join us]."
Cole Palmer, Chelsea player to DAZN
“Details. It’s hard to suffer one goal like we suffered in the second half after one corner. It’s tough but we have to accept it. In the first half Chelsea was better than us but I think after half-time we made some adjustments but unfortunately we couldn’t score a second goal but we fought until the end. The game was decided in details. So, proud and sad because the way we suffer the second goal but it’s football so we have to accept it and move on.”
Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras head coach
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Estevao (Palmeiras)
Stats
- Cole Palmer’s goal ensured 10 Englishmen have scored at this tournament. Only Argentina (15) and Brazil (19) have had more scorers.
- Estevao, at 18 years and 71 days, became the second-youngest goalscorer at this FIFA Club World Cup. Rodrigo Mora of FC Porto was 22 days younger.
