Kepa the hero as Chelsea secure shootout victory over Villarreal to hoist Super Cup | OneFootball

Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero as Chelsea won the UEFA Super Cup on penalties over Villarreal.

The annual meeting between the Champions League and Europa League winners came just days out from the start of the new season.

And the contest looked as though it belonged in the preseason as both sides struggled physically with time running down.

Hakim Ziyech put Chelsea after 27 minutes after latching onto a pass from Kai Havertz.

However, the Moroccan's night ended on a sour note after he was taken off before half-time with a suspected shoulder injury.

Villarreal, who beat Manchester United in the Europa League final, got their tails up in the second-half and eventually equalised through Gerard Moreno.

The Spain striker scored with a superb strike past Edouard Mendy with 73 minutes on the clock.

Extra-time saw Villarreal retreat into their own half to soak up pressure, but Chelsea never really threatened to score a second goal.

Penalties seemed destined, and Thomas Tuchel made the unorthodox but clearly wise decision to substitute Mendy for Arrizabalaga.

Kai Havertz missed Chelsea's first penalty, but Arrizabalaga squared things up by denying Aissa Mandi.

Each team would score their next four penalties before Antonio Rudiger put Chelsea up 6-5.

Arrizabalaga then denied compatriot Raúl Albiol to give Chelsea victory.