Chelsea players produced perfect spot kicks to beat reigning European champions Barcelona 4-2 on penalties after playing out 2-2 draw at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C. Tuesday before a 78,000 capacity crowd.
Loic Remy scored the winning penalty after Alen Halilovic had missed for Barca and Thibaut Courtois, the official man of the match, saved from Gerard Pique to secure the International Champions Cup win for Jose Mourinho’s side. Radamel Falcao, also scored his penalty confidently as did Victor Moses and Ramires to give the Blues its second penalty shoot-out victories in three days.
Belgian star-attacker, Eden Hazard opened the scoring for the premiership champions with a brilliant individual effort in the 10th minute but a poor clearance by left back, Cesar Azpilicueta fell to the feet of Luis Suarez in the box, with the Uruguayan talismanic striker tapping the ball over stranded Thibaut Courtois to level score in the 52nd minute.
Sandro finished with a beautiful bending strike in the 66th minute to put Barcelona in front, as the Catalans looked to be cruising to the win. However, Gary Cahill out-jumped Barca’s Jordi Masip in the match’s closing minutes and headed home to level the score and force penalty kicks.
The match marked the end of both teams’ pre-season tour of the United States.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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