Half-time: Chelsea 1 Monterrey 0
Juan Mata scored for the fourth consecutive game as Chelsea took control of the Club World Cup semi-final in Japan.
Their 17th-minute opener – Mata’s 11th goal of the season – had been coming as they had dominated the early stages with David Luiz enjoying a new midfield role.
The Brazilian fired over after being found by Oscar’s lovely flick and then played a great through-ball to Eden Hazard, who shot wide.
Branislav Ivanovic missed the target from Mata’s left-wing corner, but it seemed only a matter of time before the European champions went ahead.
And they did so when Ashley Cole exchanged passes with Osar and picked out Mata, who finished nicely.
Mexican side Monterrey, the Central American champions, were second best for most of the half but winger Jesus Corona gave Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta problems on the left flank.
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Hazard, Oscar, Mata, Torres.
Subs: Turnbull, Ramires, Lampard, Moses, Ferreira, Marin, Bertrand, Piazon, Sturridge, Terry, Saville, Hilario.
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