Make no mistake: Chelsea were desperate for this trophy as it was the only thing missing in the Roman Abramovich era. The tension was made even more palpable by the fact that they were upset 10 years ago by another Brazilian opponent Corinthians; thus making this even more of a must-win.
And as this intoxicating night grew in tension; it seemed that the match; and Chelsea's hopes; were hanging by the pipeline. Palmeiras; Copa Libertadores champions in their own right; were in no mood to lying down; and their discipline and determination ensured that it would be an increasingly nervy affair for Thomas Tuchel's men.
After Romelu Lukaku had scored with a brilliant header; it looked like the night would belong to the English giants; but Thiago Silva's rather-surprising handball handed a reprieve to the Brazilian side; of which Raphael Veiga duly converted. Just when it looked like the match was heading to a penalty shoot-out; Cesar Azpilicueta's fateful volley was blocked by the hand of Luan. Just like the UEFA Champions League final; up stepped the young German Kai Havertz to score a nerveless penalty to sen his team into dreamland. There was still more drama at the end; as the afore-mentioned Luan was sent off for a desperate lunge on Havertz; but the deed had already been done.
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