Lukaku strike sinks Al-Hilal and gives Chelsea shot at Club World Cup

The most important thing is that Chelsea are one game away from winning the lot. This was an uneven performance from the European champions and although they did enough to stop Al-Hilal from pulling off a shock, there will have to be an improvement when they face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final on Saturday.

This was heavy going at times. Thomas Tuchel, who was forced to watch from home after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, will not be fooled. The German saw Romelu Lukaku settle a tight game, but Chelsea still have problems with their record signing. The unfortunate reality is that Lukaku’s only goals since giving that interview have come against Chesterfield and Al-Hilal, who put up a good fight throughout this semi-final, and the worry for Tuchel will be that his side remain unconvincing in attack.

That lack of ruthlessness is an issue for Chelsea. It almost cost them here. Al-Hilal kept fighting and Chelsea were indebted to Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made two stunning saves to deny Odion Ighalo and Mohamed Kanno in the second half.

Chelsea knew that they could not afford to be complacent, especially as there was no Tuchel on the touchline to keep them on their toes. Al-Hilal were impressive in the previous round, thrashing Al Jazira 6-1, and the Saudi champions were not short of threats in the final third. Ighalo was a familiar face up front, even if the former Manchester United and Watford striker is not exactly the sprightliest of movers these days, and there were times when Al-Hilal looked dangerous, Moussa Marega’s physicality causing problems on the right and the former West Brom forward Matheus Pereira a nimble presence between the lines.

This was not straightforward Chelsea, who were led by Tuchel’s