Substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made two shootout saves as Champions League winners Chelsea beat Spain’s Villarreal 6-5 on penalties to add the Uefa Super Cup to their trophy collection last night.
Extra time had ended 1-1 at Belfast’s Windsor Park ground, with Chelsea replacing goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with Kepa in the final seconds in what turned out to be a master-stroke as penalties loomed.
The freshest player on a field of tired legs saved first from Aissa Mandi at 1-1 and then made the winning stop at 6-5 when Villarreal captain and 2010 World Cup winner Raul Albiol hit the ball to the bottom left.
Hakim Ziyech put Chelsea ahead in the 27th minute, sweeping in from 12 yards after a perfectly measured cross from Kai Havertz on the left. Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno – who scored against Manchester United before the Europa League final in Gdansk went to penalties – came to the rescue in the 73rd with a side-foot finish after a back-heel from Boulaye Dia.
&uuid=(email))