GOALKEEPER Kepa Arrizabalaga saved two kicks on Wednesday night as Chelsea defeated Villarreal 6-5 on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup.
The Spaniard was brought on to replace Edourd Mendy with just one minute left in extra-time, specifically to be in goal for the shootout.
He justified coach Thomas Tuchel’s decision by saving from Aisa Mandi and Raul Albiol to give Chelsea victory.
The game in Belfast, Northern Ireland ended 1-1 after full-time and extra-time of enjoyable football, and had to be decided by the penalty shootout.
UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea took the lead in the 27th minute, Hakim Ziyech sweeping home a low cross from the left.
The goal sparked Villarreal into life and the UEFA Europa League winners put pressure on Chelsea and came close to the equaliser a few times in the first half, hitting the post twice.
The Spanish team kept up the intensity and pressure after the break, and they soon got their reward.
A neat passing move from the edge of the Chelsea box led to Gerard Moreno being fed with a clever back heel inside the box, and the striker finished with aplomb into the top corner in the 73rd minute.
The equaliser shook Chelsea out of their lethargic play and they were the side pushing for the winner into the end of regulation time.
Extra-time did not produce any more goals, leading to penalties as the decider.
Chelsea’s Kai Havertz took the first kick, which was saved by Sergio Asenjo, but the Blues scored the rest of their kicks.
Kepa kept out Albiol’s sudden-death kick to hand Chelsea their second Super Cup.
With the victory, Tuchel became the first manager in Chelsea’s history to win the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.
