Penalty shootout wins over Chelsea to win the European Super Cup
Xinhua News Agency, London, August 11-Premier League giants Chelsea relied on goalkeeper Kepa’s brave performance in a penalty shootout on the 11th, defeating La Liga team Villarreal with a total score of 7:6 and won the European Super Cup.
The match between Champions League champion Chelsea and Europa champion Villarreal was played on the same day at Windsor Park in Belfast. The “Blues” took the initiative after the opening, and in the 27th minute, Ziyech shot from the center to the first goal. However, after Chelsea took the lead, the attacking rhythm obviously slowed down. The goal hero Ziyech suffered a shoulder injury before the end of the first half and was replaced by Pulisic.
In the Champions League final last season, Chelsea, who took the lead in the first half, successfully maintained the 1-0 score until the final whistle, thus pressing down on Manchester City, which is the most prestigious in the Premier League. However, this time facing the tough “yellow submarine”, Tuchel’s team failed to hold the victory within 90 minutes. In the 73rd minute, taking advantage of the Chelsea defender’s failure to clear the siege, Moreno received Dia’s heel assist and scored, pulling the two sides back to the same starting line.
Both teams failed to make a difference in overtime, and Tuchel sent Kepa to replace Mendy at the last moment, intending to give it a go for the penalty shootout. Although Haverts, who took the penalty for the “Blues” in the first round, was unfavorable, Kepa saved his opponent’s penalty in the second round. In the next four rounds, both teams made all the shots, but Kepa, who was robbed of the main position by Mendy last year, succeeded again in the sixth round, helping Chelsea to win 6:5 in the penalty shootout.
Chelsea coach Tuchel said after the game that he was very happy that Kepa’s penalty kick tactic worked. “Our idea is to do our best for the team.”
Kaipa frankly said that such substitutions are not common, “but I am ready, because I know this is still possible, so I try to prepare myself physically and mentally.” He also emphasized that Mendy and other teammates performed very well, so they can finally defeat their opponents hard.