Club World Cup: Corinthians v Chelsea

Live minute-by-minute text commentary and goals from the Club World Cup final in Japan

Welcome to today's live text coverage of the Club World Cup final between Corinthians and Chelsea. Blues boss Rafael Benitez will view this as a real chance to pick up some silverware early in his reign but Corinthians will be no pushover. One man looking forward to the clash is David Luiz, who will face his boyhood idols today

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:06:43 AM
In the third place play-off earlier today, Monterrey beat Al-Ahly 2-0 thanks to goals from Jesus Corona and Cesar Delgado

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:10:08 AM
Some interesting Chelsea team news as Frank Lampard returns to captain the side and Luiz reverts back to central defence ...

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:13:28 AM
Benitez has also recalled Ramires and Victor Moses. Full line-ups to follow ...

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:14:17 AM
CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Cahill, Luiz, Ramires, Lampard, Moses, Mata, Hazard, Torres.Subs: Turnbull, Oscar, Mikel, Ferreira, Marin, Sturridge, Terry, Azpilicueta, Bertrand,
Piazon, Saville, Hilario.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:19:47 AM
CORINTHIANS: Cassio; Alessandro, Paulo Andre, Chicao, Fabio Santos, Paulinho, Ralf, Danilo, J Henrique, Emerson; Guerrero. Subs: J Cesar, F Danilo, Wallace, Martinez, Douglas, A Polga, W Arao, Edenilson, Guilherme, Felipe, Giovanni, Romarinho

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:21:45 AM
The decision by Benitez to move David Luiz back to centre-back is an interesting one. In Friday's semi-final win over Monterrey, the Brazilian was the one really pulling the strings in midfield and he looked far more comfortable in that position.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:25:24 AM
The pre-match preparations are over and we're off

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:30:42 AM
4 mins: An untidy opening to the match as both sides try to suss each other out.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:34:43 AM
One early observation from today's match is that there is certainly not the space in midfield that Chelsea enjoyed in their semi-final. Corinthians look a far more organised outfit.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:37:57 AM
9 mins: It's very cat-and-mouse currently. The Brazilians appear happy to sit back and counter-attack.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:40:15 AM
10 mins: Chelsea close to an opening goal as the corner comes in and Gary Cahill forces a sharp stop from Cassio.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:41:16 AM
11 mins: There's been a few tasty Chelsea challenges in the opening minutes and surprisingly the referee hasn't yet got his yellow cards out. Ramires the latest to escape after a late tackle.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:42:27 AM
Feel free to send us your comments during today's match using the comment option above. Let us know your thoughts on Luiz at the back and Lamps as skipper.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:44:42 AM
18 mins: Mata loses out in midfield but is bailed out by Luiz as he sees off the danger of Corinthians striker Emerson.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:48:31 AM
19 mins: Henrique tries his luck on goal but it's an easy one for Cech to deal with in the Chelsea goal.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:49:25 AM
20 mins: Again the Chelsea midfield lose possession to allow Paulinho, reportedly a Blues transfer target, to shoot an effort over. Benitez's men yet to settle.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:51:06 AM
Chelsea supporters are out in their numbers in Japan

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:51:22 AM
22 mins: Chelsea win a free-kick in an inviting position but Luiz's runs up and seems to scuff it into the base of the wall.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:52:58 AM
24 mins: Corinthians are providing a real test at the moment. They're well set-up, comfortable and confident in possession and disciplined.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:54:50 AM
27 mins: Some trickery on the wing from Victor Moses but no end product so far from one of three changes made to the Chelsea side today.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:57:36 AM
29 mins: Some slack defensive play allows the ball to run through for Emerson but the forward blazes over the bar from a promising position.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 10:59:40 AM
33 mins: Moses nearly finds a way through but a loose first-touch means the ball runs harmlessly out for a goal-kick.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:03:48 AM
Chelsea's passing hasn't been top notch so far and that is due to the tremendous pressure and energy being shown by their opponents.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:04:47 AM
35 mins: Corinthians go close to breaking the deadlock. Confusion in the Blues defence leads to a chance from a tight angle for Guerrero that hits the outside of the post.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:05:54 AM
36 mins: Ashley Cole drags a long-range shot well wide. Such is the pressure being put on the man in possession, Chelsea are having to resort to distance efforts.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:07:14 AM
38 mins: Sharp save by Cassio as Lampard picks out Torres perfectly and the Spanish striker fails to properly capitalise.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:08:40 AM
40 mins: Best action of the half from the Blues. Moses works space to curl a shot that looks to be heading for the far corner of the net before a great save from Cassio denies him.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:10:44 AM
42 mins: Chelsea look like they are beginning to warm to their task now. Cassio has to be alert once more to deny Juan Mata from range.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:12:21 AM
Eden Hazard tries to make a breakthrough but is stopped by some resolute Corinthians defending. The story of the half so far.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:13:35 AM
Here in Brasil people consider that Corinthians is doing much better than expected. They played really badly the semifinal. Last year, Santos FC lost 4-0 to Barcelona, we thought it could be the same today. Actually, after first nervous minutes, Corinthians is doing well.

by MarcosBr 12/16/2012 11:15:15 AM
Into extra-time at the end of the first-half ...

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:16:03 AM
HALF-TIME: Corinthians 0-0 Chelsea

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:16:53 AM
It's been a testing first-half for Chelsea. They enjoyed plenty of the ball against Monterrey on Friday but today's match is proving a much sterner task.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:18:42 AM
Rafa Benitez does have options on the bench and if his side continues to struggle to break down Corinthians he'll surely think about introducing Oscar.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:20:06 AM
Moments to go until the start of the second-half and Chelsea will be hoping they can get their attacking play going. They've not been allowed to create much in the way of goalscoring chances but they'll be hoping Corinthians discipline drops a touch to allow them more space

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:33:10 AM
And we're off in the second-half ...

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:33:25 AM
51 mins: Hazard finds Lampard but the Chelsea skipper's shot is quickly closed down. Absolutely no quarter being given by the Brazilians.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:38:41 AM
Corinthians look extremely well-drilled today and Chelsea need to find a way to be more creative and break them down.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:41:09 AM
54 mins: Mata nearly finds a way through with a jinking run but again the chance peters out in frustration for the Blues.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:41:47 AM
56 mins: Corinthians striker Jorge Henrique picks up the first booking of the match.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:43:49 AM
David Luiz hasn't enjoyed as much of the ball so far today. The Brazilian is playing back in central defence despite an impressive display in midfield on Friday.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:46:02 AM
63 mins: Ivanovic has to be on his guard to ward off a Corinthians attacker and divert the ball out for a corner.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:50:34 AM
64 mins: Paulinho has shown glimpses of his talent today and shoots not far wide as Corinthians look to be more positive in attack.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:51:35 AM
66 mins: Fernando Torres has again not enjoyed the best of days. He is easily brushed off the ball and isn't really giving the Corinthians backline much to worry about.

by Chris Laker 12/16/2012 11:55:04 AM