Romelu Lukaku fired Chelsea to within one game of being crowned world champions – but it was Kepa Arrizabalaga who proved their saviour once again.
The goalkeeper is not even guaranteed to hold onto his place for Saturday’s showdown against Palmeiras after Edouard Mendy’s return from the African Cup of Nations – but his rehabilitation under Thomas Tuchel was further underlined by two second-half saves.
Lukaku’s first-half strike had put Chelsea on course to victory against Al Hilal – but the Saudi Arabian side mounted a fightback after their opponents failed to extend their lead.
And they sparked real belief of a shock with Moussa Marega forcing Kepa into action when put through one-on-one – and then Kanno Mohamed fired low from the edge of the box.
If Kepa would have been expected to smother Marega’s effort, Mohamed’s looked destined for the bottom corner, only for the keeper to fling out an arm and push it round the post.
There was a time when the £71million Spaniard was almost expected to throw in a blunder in clutch moments. But here he was coming up with the vital intervention – just as he has in increasing numbers.
At the weekend it was his late penalty save that denied Plymouth an FA Cup shootout.
This was not as dramatic – but it was still vital to Chelsea’s progress. He is still very much second choice – but he has become a key part of Tuchel’s squad after looking destined for the exit following a troubled time in English football.
Lukaku has also had his problems – and while his goal cannot be guaranteed to turn his fortunes around after his underwhelming form since joining for a club record £97.5million from Inter Milan – it could prove the platform.
Firing in from close range after 33 minutes, it was his goal that ultimately made the difference. And it will have been relief – particularly after what started as another frustrating night for the Belgian.
He had two sights of goal early on – forcing a save from Almuaiouf Abdullah from close range and then completely missing the ball when trying to connect with Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross to the near-post.
Lukaku showed his power later to hold off Bulayhi Al Ali and get another shot off, but it was straight at the keeper.
He finally found the back of the net in the 33rd minute, with help from some hapless defending from Ashahrani Yasir and the drive of Mateo Kovacic, who carried the ball from deep in his own half to Al Hilal’s final third in the build-up.
Kai Havertz took it up from there, clipping a cross into the box, which Yasir tried to head clear, but instead played the ball straight into Lukaku’s path four yards out from goal. The striker did the rest – sweeping his shot over the line.
There were more chances for Hakim Ziyech before half-time, but Chelsea’s dominance could not extend their lead at the break.
Havertz was fractions away from finding the back of net after the restart when a run down the left saw him delicately lift the ball over Abdullah from a narrow angle and strike the post. Ziyech then forced a save with a half volley aimed towards the top corner from 20 yards.
But as long as the score remained 1-0, Al Hilal always felt there was a way back into the game. And if not for Kepa, there might well have been.
