Chelsea FC recorded their second successive penalty shoot-out win in the International Champions Cup following a 2-2 draw against Barcelona in normal time, with Belgians Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois standing out
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Football fans at the FedExField in Washington D.C. got their money’s worth on Tuesday night after a pulsating 90 minutes of football – which saw Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona exchange leads and ultimately cancel each other out – culminated in a penalty shoot-out win for the Blues.
Eden Hazard scored a breath-taking individual effort to get things under way, whilst compatriot Thibaut Courtois made a string of fine saves to deny Luis SuA?rez in the first half, before yet again proving to be the hero in the shoot-out for his side.
Hazard dazzles Washington with sublime skills
The two-time Chelsea FC Player of the Year was in the mood on Tuesday night: waltzing past Barcelona players, nutmegging the odd one, creating chances for his team-mates and all in all, making it a memorable night for the American fans by scoring an incredible solo goal inside the opening ten minutes of the match.
The 24-year-old has evolved over the past couple of seasons and has added consistency to his indubitable brilliance. If the Belgian now displays the same sort of predatory instinct he showed when scoring past a hapless Marc-Andr ter Stegen on Tuesday night throughout the course of the season, he is likely to improve greatly on his goals tally in 2015-2016.
Barcelona score a wondergoal of their own
Barcelona levelled things up in the second half thanks to some clever footwork in the box by Uruguayan superstar Luis SuA?rez, and then took the lead through a sumptuous Sandro Ram rez strike – a pin-point curler which nestled in Courtois’ top right corner.
Chelsea FC defender Gary Cahill brought his side level with a header late on in the game, despite getting his nose absolutely battered in by a flailing Jordi Masip in the process. Thibaut Courtois was once more the hero, however, after he successfully saved Gerard Piqu ‘s effort following Alen Halilovi ‘s miss, effectively winning the game for his side.
Frenchman LoA?c R my then stepped up and converted his penalty to seal the win for Chelsea FC. The Blues now return to London and get their season under way with a high-profile Community Shield meeting against Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday.
Eden Hazard goal vs Barcelona . #CFC pic.twitter.com/QzEqUnZ9Oh
a CFCVID (@CFCvid) July 29, 2015
Gary Cahill 2 vs 2 Barcelona . #CFC pic.twitter.com/2IjnrjnJTH
a CFCVID (@CFCvid) July 29, 2015
Video: Goal Suarez (1-1) #fcblive [via @lm10hd] pic.twitter.com/BETCl8VmIX
a barcastuff (@barcastuff) July 29, 2015
Courtois’ save from Pique. He’s becoming brilliant at saving penalties! pic.twitter.com/WFyJ0Q78u9
a ChelseaTalk (@CheIseaTalk) July 29, 2015
Remy’s penalty to clinch the win over Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/wsB8KpR8K7
a ChelseaTalk (@CheIseaTalk) July 29, 2015