Chelsea, Valencia Win at MetLife in Guinness ICC [Photos]

It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon to kick the ball around in New Jersey and that’s what four of Europe’s most prestigious teams did at MetLife Stadium. The Guinness International Champions Cup started with eight teams and is being played in five cities around the country.

Chelsea and AC Milan's semifinal was played in front of more than 39,000 fans. Chelsea dominated control of the ball in the first half and snatched the lead in the 29th minute when Eden Hazard, the 22 year-old Belgian, passed across to Kevin De Bruyne who buried it.

AC Milan pressured well in the second half and it looked like it was just a matter of time before they equalized. A flurry of shots were blocked in the 81st minute by Chelsea defenders but no goal was allowed. Chelsea was able to regain control. Andre Schurrle scored a goal in the 92nd minute and put the game on ice.

Chelsea will face off against Real Madrid in the final of the Guinness I.C.C. in Miami on Aug. 7. Chelsea’s manager, Jose Murinho, also know as “The Special One,” was the manager at Real Madrid just two months ago. 

“Real Madrid is doing this preseason tournament and playing here because I organized it for them,” said Murinho. “After I moved to my new club I knew that it was a real possibility that we would meet in the final phase of this competition. For us it’s very good. We get to play against a very special team with very special players.”

Valencia crushed Inter 4-0 in the early game, which was to earn a spot in the fifth place game and avoid ending up at the bottom of this competition.

Ever Banega, an Argentinian international, floated a shot over the keeper and just below the cross bar for an outstanding goal from about 30 yards out. Jonathan Viera scored on a shot that was deflected by an Inter defender and Jonas walked in a third goal for Valencia in the 56th minute. Viera drilled a rebound home in the 89th minute to put Valencia ahead 4-0 and the final whistle blew.

Valencia, who practiced at Montclair State University on Friday, Chelsea, Inter and AC Milan will move on to Miami for the last leg of the competition. Their opponents were decided earlier this week. Chelsea and Real Madrid square off in a dream final on Aug. 7 at 9 p.m. AC Milan plays the LA Galaxy in the third place match, Valencia will play Everton, an English side, in the fifth place game and Inter will play Juventus for seventh place. 

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