Soccer

Lukaku first one to crack as Bayern Munich take Super Cup

Londoners led twice but Pep Guardiola’s side stay cool after late comeback

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea to seeing his penalty saved by Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea to seeing his penalty saved by Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Fri Aug 30 2013 - 23:10

Bayern Munich 2 Chelsea 2 (AET): Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich twice came from behind to beat Jose Mourinho's 10-man Chelsea and win the European Super Cup in a penalty shoot-out at the Stadion Eden in Prague.

Chelsea thought they had handed Mourinho a first trophy of his second spell as boss when Eden Hazard netted in extra-time after Franck Ribery had cancelled out Fernando Torres' opener.

Dismissal
The dismissal of Ramires for a second bookable offence left the Blues exposed and Javi Martinez tucked in with the final kick of an astonishing game, forcing penalties. The 2012 European Cup final between the sides had been decided on spot-kicks in

Chelsea’s favour and on this occasion, shooting towards the boisterous Bayern end, teenage substitute Romelu Lukaku saw his effort saved as the Germans claimed a 5-4 shootout success.

It denied Mourinho a first European Super Cup and a maiden trophy of his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

Dominant
Bayern, treble winners last season and labelled the "perfect" team by Mourinho on the eve of the match, were without influential midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger due to an ankle injury, but were dominant in an enthralling encounter.

READ MORE

The Blues were on the back foot for most of the evening, but went in front courtesy of a goal on the break, Torres slamming homeAndre Schurrle’s cross.

Ribery was Bayern’s most threatening player and Chelsea failed to heed the frequent first-half warnings. Two minutes after the restart the France forward drifted in off the left and fired in an unstoppable 25-yard shot to equalise. After Ramires’ sending-off,

Chelsea regrouped and Hazard replicated Ribery's strike, only from closer in, and Petr Cech made a series of fine saves. Cech could not deny Martinez, though, as the destination of the trophy was determined by spot-kicks.

Comfortable save
With nine successful penalties it came down to Lukaku, but his spot-kick was soft and Manuel Neuer made a comfortable save.

Cheldea were seeking to make amends for their appearance in the Super Cup last season, when they were beaten 4-1 by Atletico Madrid in Monaco and made two changes from the Premier League stalemate against Manchester United as Old Trafford, with David Luiz making his first appearance of the season following a hamstring injury alongside Torres, but again Juan Mata was on the bench. Bayern fielded nine of the 11 players who began May's European Cup final defeat of Borussia Dortmund.
Guardian Service