Chelsea thrash Monterrey to reach Club Cup final

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AFP) –

Strikes by Juan Mata (2nd left) and Fernando Torres (top centre) plus a Chavez own goal gave Chelsea a 3-1 World Club Cup victory over Mexico’s Monterrey, whose only goal came from De Nigris in added time.

European champions Chelsea outclassed Mexican side Monterrey 3-1 at the Club World Cup in Japan on Thursday to set up a mouthwatering final clash with Brazilian giants Corinthians.

The English Premier League club, debuting at the intercontinental tournament, dominated large spells of the first half and had the match sewn up shortly into the second — scoring two goals within three minutes of the restart.

Monterrey were bidding to become the first CONCACAF champions to reach a Club World Cup final, but the strength of Chelsea’s David Luiz in midfield, coupled with the trickery of Juan Mata and Eden Hazard proved too much for the Mexicans.

“It was a good game, high tempo, good play, great goals and great movement so lots of positives for us,” interim Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez said.

“We knew they were a good team, but we didn’t know if they would be a good team against us,” he added.

Monterrey were bidding to become the first CONCACAF champions to reach a Club World Cup final, but the strength of Chelsea’s David Luiz in midfield, coupled with the trickery of Juan Mata (pictured) and Eden Hazard proved too much for the Mexicans.

“The reaction of the team, especially at the start of the second half, was quite good so I’m very pleased with the performance.”

Chelsea started the match with the greater intent and Luiz went close to scoring inside the first four minutes, breaking from his unfamiliar defensive midfield position to fire narrowly over the bar from just outside the box.

Eden Hazard missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring two minutes later. Luiz played a precision pass which split the Monterrey defence but the Belgian pushed the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Chelsea had their breakthrough on 17 minutes with a beautifully worked goal that was expertly finished by Mata.

Midfielder Oscar played a back heel to Ashley Cole on the edge of the penalty box. The left-back then squared it to the Spaniard who took a touch before smashing it past Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco.

Monterrey’s only clear-cut chance in the first 45 came shortly afterwards when striker Aldo De Nigris headed over the bar from close range.

Chelsea had their breakthrough on 17 minutes against Monterrey with a beautifully worked goal that was expertly finished by Mata (in number 10 shirt).

Any hopes the Mexicans had for a second-half comeback were dashed after just 15 seconds of the restart, Fernando Torres grabbing a deflected goal from inside the box with much of the 36,648 crowd yet to return to their seats.

The match was over as a contest on the 48-minute-mark when Darvin Chavez put the ball into his own net to make it 3-0.

A rout appeared to be on the cards at the 68,000-capacity International Stadium in Yokohama but Victor Vucetich’s side steadied the ship and scored a consolation goal through De Nigris in injury time.

“I regret that we lost the way we did,” Vucetich said.

“We made our best efforts however there were several times where we lost our concentration.

“We did have some opportunities to score but the game was decided when we lost those two goals.”

Chelsea will play Copa Libertadores winners Corinthians from Sao Paulo in the final in Yokohama on Sunday. Earlier that day Monterrey will take on Egypt’s Al Ahly in a play-off for third place.

“The quality of the Brazilians will be totally different,” Benitez said.

“We have to be aware and we have to be ready.”