Kepa helps Chelsea win UEFA Super Cup on penalties

Chelsea defeated Villarreal 6-5 on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup after a 1-1 scoreline at Windsor Park in Belfast on Wednesday night.

The traditional curtain-raiser to a new European football season pitted Chelsea, winners of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), against Villarreal, Europa League champions, and both teams scored a goal in each half before the penalty shootout decider.

In the presence of 13,000 fans in Northern Ireland, Hakim Ziyech scored first for Chelsea but Gerard Moreno equalised in what appeared to be an entertaining encounter.

The London club started the better side and their attacking intent was rewarded with the opening goal on 27 minutes through Ziyech. The Morocco international converted Kai Havertz’s low cross on the bounce to give Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead.

Both sides traded opportunities with Alberto Moreno blazing wide and Boulaye Dia’s low shot saved by Mendy, while Sergio Asenjo, Villareal goalkeeper, palmed away Marcos Alonso’s low drive and Kurt Zouma volleyed wide at the back post.

The Spanish side ended the half by rattling the bar through Alberto Moreno. The defender smacked a shot that failed to hit the net as Chelsea went into the break with a slim one-goal lead.

The Europa League winners hit the post again five minutes into the second half through Gerard Moreno as the striker saw his shot diverted onto the post by Mendy, whose poor kick led to the opportunity.

The Yellow Submarines continued to dominate and fashion opportunities. Gerard Moreno finally got the ball beyond Mendy on 73 minutes. The Spanish striker collected a flick from Dia and swept into the top corner for a 1-1 scoreline to force extra time.

Chelsea went closest in extra time with Christian Pulisic poking wide while Asenjo denied Mason Mount with a fingertip save as Unai Emery’s side played for the shootout, just like they did in their Europa League final against Manchester United.

However, a similar outcome would not suffice as Kepa Arizabalaga, brought on for Mendy before the end of extra time, saved two penalties, including Raul Albiol’s kick to become Chelsea’s Super Cup hero.