Chelsea vs Palmeiras LIVE: Club World Cup result and final score as Kai Havertz scores penalty in extra-time

The South American clubs always take this tournament seriously, with plenty of fans travelling all over the world in order to support their underdogs against the European favourites.

Palmeiras fans enjoyed a yacht trip through Dubai a couple of days ago, and they are in fine voice again in the stadium this afternoon.

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney is inside the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.

Palmeiras are the most successful club in the history of Brazilian football, winning 13 Serie A titles and taking three victories in the Copa Libertadores.

The likes of Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu have all played for the club, and the current squad would reach a new level of legendary status if they manage to take the trophy back home to Sao Paolo.

Their success in the past three few years has been founded in the cup competitions rather than the league, showing they know how to manage knockout tournaments and grind out results in key moments. They will fancy their chances at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.

Whichever side wins tonight will become the tenth winner of the Club World Cup since the tournament began in 2000.

Liverpool and Manchester United have been champions before, in 2019 and 2008 respectively, while the likes of Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been successful on multiple occasions. The latter have won the most Club World trophies with four.

Three South American sides have been crowned world champions: Corinthians in 2000 and 2012, Sao Paolo in 2005, and SC Internacional in 2006.

The good news pre kick-off for is that Thomas Tuchel is back in the dugout in the UAE. He missed the previous round against Al-Hilal due to Covid-19, but has flown to join his squad in time for the showpiece game.

“You never know if you will play this competition one more time,” Tuchel says. “I trust my players, colleagues and insistsnts. I was in contact with them but it’s never quite the same. I’m happy I can now be here in Abu Dhabi.

“We are here to win it all. We want to win it and we will not hide it. The demand of ourselves is that we are able to compete for the win and we have to

Chelsea have never won the Club World Cup before, despite qualifying for the final in 2012 after winning the Champions league against Bayern Munich.

Rafael Benitez was Chelsea boss by the time the tournament rolled around in Japan in mid-December, having replaced the sacked Roberto di Matteo in controversial circumstances.

In the final the Blues played Corinthians, fresh off winning the Copa Libertadores themselves, and Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero’s second-half goal was enough for them to take the trophy back to Brazil.

That was the last time a non-European side won the tournament.

Chelsea are huge favourites to take the trophy home this afternoon, of course, but Palmeiras can still pose a significant threat of their own.

The Verdao have won two consecutive Copa Libertadores titles in South America, and were comfortable winners of Al Ahly in the semi-final thanks to goals from Raphael Vega and Dudu.

Abel Ferreira’s men are also unbeaten in their last ten matches, dating back to mid-November.

Chelsea: Mendy, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi; Mount, Havertz, Lukaku.

Subs: Kepa, Bettinelli, Alonso, Chalobah, Sarr, Jorginho, Saul, Barkley, Kenedy, Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic.

Palmeiras: Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Luan, Piquerez; Danilo, Ze Rafael; Dudu, Veiga, Scarpa; Rony.

Subs: Benjamin, Jorge, Wesley, Mayke, Deyverson, Lopes, Atuesta, Cerquiera, Navarro, Jailson, Mateus, Marcelo.

From our man on the ground in Abu Dhabi:

Chelsea team for Club World Cup final: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Kante, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi; Mount, Havertz, Lukaku

Chelsea are taking on Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final today as the Blues look to clinch the trophy for the first time in their history. Defeat to fellow Brazilian side Corinthians in the 2012 final was Chelsea’s only previous experience of the showpiece fixture, but they come into this game in Abu Dhabi as favourites to win.

Thomas Tuchel has been absent after contracting Covid-19 and missed the semi-final victory over Saudi side Al-Hilal, but is back on the touchline here for the final. His side must be wary of 30-year-old striker Dudu, who has 74 goals for the club and knows how to score in the Middle East having spent last season on loan at Qatar Stars League side Al-Duhail.