Cesar Azpilicueta fooled Palmeiras into thinking he would take key penalty

Cesar Azpilicueta played a captain’s role by taking the pressure off Chelsea matchwinner Kai Havertz and fooling Palmeiras into thinking he was about to take the decisive penalty in the Club World Cup final.

Romelu Lukaku had given the Champions League holders the lead with a bullet header 10 minutes into the second period, but that advantage was soon wiped out after Cavalcante Veiga drew his side level from the spot following Thiago Silva’s handball offence.

The game went to extra-time and appeared destined to be decided by a shootout, before Chelsea were handed a contentious penalty three minutes from full-time for another debatable handball.

When the Germany international eventually stepped forward he kept his composure and sent the opposition goalkeeper the wrong way to clinch victory and help Chelsea become only the fifth team in history win every major available club prize.

What a feeling! 🥰 pic.twitter.com/Ek8MC1YsON

Asked why he grabbed hold of the ball, Azpilicueta said: ‘I knew what they were like.’

Havertz, who also scored the winning goal in last season’s Champions League final against Manchester City, admitted he felt nervous ahead of such a crucial moment but was delighted to have etched his name further into the club’s folklore.

He said: ‘It’s amazing. After champions of Europe, we are now champions of the world. It sounds better.

‘I was nervous [taking the penalty], I have to be honest. It’s a big penalty. It’s just crazy. It was good I kept the nerves. I am very happy. i

‘I was the third penalty taker but I was the only one left on the pitch.

‘My team-mates gave me trust. I dreamed always as a kid of this. This is an amazing feeling for me.’

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