Chelsea steals victory with late own goal against Palmeiras
- Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 16th minute with a skillful finish.
- Estevao Willian equalized for Palmeiras with a stunning shot shortly after halftime.
- Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals with a late own goal from Palmeiras, showcasing the thrilling nature of the match.
In Philadelphia, USA, Chelsea narrowly defeated Palmeiras 2-1 in a quarter-final match of the Club World Cup. This match took place as part of an exciting event involving top clubs globally. Chelsea opened the scoring early, with Cole Palmer netting on the 16th minute after evading defenders with a clever turn. Palmeiras, displaying resilience, leveled the match shortly after halftime when Estevao Willian, a standout player for the Brazilian side, scored from a tight angle. As the game approached the end, a fortuitous deflection off Malo Gusto's cross resulted in an own goal by Palmeiras, giving Chelsea the lead again in the 83rd minute, thus sealing their place in the semi-finals. A total of 65,782 fans witnessed the thrilling contest. Chelsea's captain, Reece James, had to be substituted out before the match due to injury, which led to a reshuffle in the lineup. Despite some late pressure from Palmeiras, Chelsea’s late luck ensured they progressed to face Fluminense in the next round. Estevao Willian's performance stood out, and he expressed gratitude towards Palmeiras even as he prepares for his transition to Chelsea after the tournament, highlighting his commitment to his current club until his departure.