Chelsea's club-file signing had failed to score in 5 video games before arriving in Abu Dhabi, and the Blues are seeking out the 28-12 months-antique to find his pleasant form within the second half of the season. The Belgium global swept in from close range on 33 minutes after a protecting lapse to ship Chelsea via to Saturday's very last, the second in three years between English and Brazilian groups.
Chelsea can be part of Manchester United and Liverpool because the 1/3 English aspect to win the Club World Cup, having finished as runners-up to Corinthians on their first appearance in 2012. They may additionally yet have train Thomas Tuchel within the dugout come the weekend, with the German still keeping apart again domestic after trying out fine for Covid-19.
Al Hilal, coached through former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, will contest the 0.33-vicinity play-off against Egypt's Al Ahly as Chelsea's win made it 12 from 12 for Europe in opposition to Asian clubs in the event. Despite the presence of former Manchester United and Watford forward Odion Ighalo alongside ex-Porto striker Moussa Marega in attack, Al Hilal struggled initially to test Kepa Arrizabalaga in purpose.
The Spaniard saved his area inside the line-up in spite of the return of Edouard Mendy following his Africa Cup of Nations triumph with Senegal. Hakim Ziyech fired a shot narrowly over and Lukaku didn't make right touch with Cesar Azpilicueta's low ball across purpose, but there was no scarcity of service for the Belgian.
He held off a defender only to strike immediately at Abdullah Al-Mayouf, but Lukaku changed into provided with the best of probabilities when Yasir Al-Shahrani's failed clearance left him to show inside the opener. Kai Havertz, whose cross led to Lukaku's goal, clipped an attempt in opposition to the outside of the publish after jinking into the place early in the second 1/2.
Ziyech then drew an awesome prevent from Al-Mayouf earlier than Al Hilal, who positioned six beyond Al Jazira in the previous spherical, belatedly sparked into existence around the hour. Arrizabalaga raced off his line to block from Marega after which pulled off a sensational one-exceeded store, flying to his left to keep out Mohamed Kanno's curling try from 20 metres.
Matheus Pereira tormented Chelsea on his closing day trip towards them at the same time as at West Brom final season, but the Brazilian's fizzing effort into the facet-netting turned into the ultimate glimmer of hope for the record four-time Asian Champions League winners.
