Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Total Fantasy Football Cup Final

Morumbi Stadium - Brazil

Attendance - 65,040

There was build up - a lot of build up, In the red corner Arsenal. The team that have now been well documented in throwing a 13 point lead in the league to be here vs Chelsea in the blue corner, a team that had flicked the fingers up to the doubters during their struggles in season 1 how the times have changed and how the tables have and were yet still to be turned.

For some bazar reason the final was held in São Paulo, Brazil the two teams perhaps the best two equipped in the entire footballing game world, this was a real case of the best meeting the best. All out league war set aside for bragging rights and perhaps a significant physiological boost over the other for the all important league grind.

First Half

Kick Off - The game started brightly both teams now well accustomed to each other needed and wasted no time in getting to know each other. The first Arsenal wave of attack resulting in a goal ! Messi - the man so many Gunners have pinned their teams success on this season at the heart of things once again. Cutting in from the left hand side as he has done so often this season could have easily gone for glory himself, however electing to pass the ball off to Asensio the young Spaniard receiving the nod over Sterling slotting his effort into the bottom left hand corner. Courtois with little chance of getting so low so quickly. Arsenal 1-0.

The early goal only a taster of how this match would be played out. Arsenal could have so nearly doubled their lead. Messi with the ball at his feet, again taking advantage of his free roaming role manager Ben Clifford has given him. A shot on goal smartly forcing the save out of the Chelsea number one. Que a couple of yellow cards in between for Nainggolan, Griezmann and Kroos this game was delivering.

It didn't take too long for Chelsea to respond with a goal of their own. It was always on the cards with the attacking talent on show in the blue shirts of Chelsea, and in the 26th minute who else but Ronaldo the man Chelsea have looked to in times of need themselves again stepped up. Hazard linking up well on the left hand side provided the killer pass Ronaldo had been looking for, one touch to set the shot up was all Ronaldo needed the outcome unsurprising. The first half after that passed without much incident. Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Second Half

Both teams needed to establish some kind of control with the flow of the game threating to turn into a "you go then I go" kind of deal someone in red or blue needed to take over. The 50th minute and perhaps a game changing decision. A rash challenge from behind by Griezmann on fellow French man Mbappe saw Griezmann head for a early bath, a second yellow given and Arsenal with a perfect chance to now take over this game and finally dictate. Chelsea had other ideas.

With the blues down to 10 men you could be forgiven if you'd have forgotten. Neither team taking the game to the other a couple of frustrated Arsenal players perhaps sensing the chance was there for the taking picked up needles yellows for dissent, first Kyle Walker followed by ex-Chelsea man Matic.

The 83rd minute and with little time left in the game for mistakes suddenly a moment of madness. Hummels with a sliding tackle on the troublesome Ronaldo just on the edge of the penalty area. Ronaldo down on the turf, a massive decision for the ref to consider. What took seconds seemed like a life time as the whilst was brought up to the man in blacks lips, and with that a finger pointed towards the spot and the fate of silverware now resting at the Portuguese mans feet from 12 yards.

Once the decision was made it was clear there was no missing from 12 yards out, not if you're Cristiano Ronaldo and so it was a perfectly place kick right into the postage stamp no keeper alive capable of getting up to the top corner where Ronaldo had so perfectly placed his spot kick. Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Asensio saw red a few minutes later in what looked like a blatant elbow on Paul Pogba as both rose for a incoming cross, but the game had already been decided and it mattered not how many men either team finished with. Ronaldo had the chance to make the score line look flattering but for once in the match probably when it mattered least he fluffed his lines. The final whilst blown and Chelsea crowned Cup Champions !

Chelsea's attentions now turn to what could be a amazing treble of the Cup, League and Champions League. While Arsenal will have to lick there wounds and face damaging questions of how badly has this cup run cost the team, further more what will they have to show for runners up medals come the end of the season ?

#CupFinal #Chelsea #Arsenal