Chelsea beat Villarreal on penalties to win UEFA Super Cup

Chelsea won the UEFA Super Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat of Spanish side Villarreal in Belfast on Wednesday night. 

The Blues led at the break thanks to a Hakim Ziyech goal, but Gerrard Moreno equalised for the Europa League title holders 17 minutes from time to ensure the match ended 1-1. 

With Cezar Azpilicueta and other senior players, including Jorginho missing from the squad, N’Golo Kante was handed the captain’s armband. 

He led the Blues from the first whistle as they dominated the Yellow Submarines, coming close to opening the scores in the sixth minute only for Timo Werner to miss from close range.  

The German found a lose ball after a corner from the Blues, but his effort towards the crossbar was expertly saved by Sergio Asenjo. 

After coming close on a number of occasions, Chelsea finally got the breakthrough in the 27th minute when Kai Havertz made a run off the back of the defence, and was found down the channel by Alonso.

The German centred and it ran behind Timo Werner, but Ziyech was there 10 yards out to turn home. 

Edouard Mendy was then called into action just after the half-hour mark, impressively denying Dia from 15 yards out. 

The Blues then got two chances in quick succession, with Alonso and Ziyech all coming close. 

The Moroccan was then forced off with a shoulder injury just before the break in what could be a huge blow for Thomas Tuchel. 

Unai Emery’s side almost equalised just before the break as Moreno managed to do well at the byline before finding Alberto Moreno at the far post. 

The defender then unleashed a shot goalward but it hit the underside of the crossbar.

The Yellow Submarines came back for the second half a changed side, and almost levelled seven minutes in. 

Mendy committed a rare mistake at the back as his pass bizarrely found Moreno, but the Senegal international managed to tip it against the upright before it crept out for a corner. 

After knocking on the Bues’ door for long, Villarreal’s persistence paid off in the 73rd minute as Moreno, who was brilliant through the game, played a one-two with Dia, before the Spanish striker found the top corner. 

None of the two teams could find the winner in normal time, forcing the match into extra time. 

The two sides could not be separated in extra time either despite creating chances, forcing the clash to be decided on penalties. 

Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was brought in place of Mendy saved two penalties, with Kai Havertz missing the first, and only kick for the Champions League holders.