SPORTS

Chelsea advances to final of Club World Cup

The Associated Press Published Thursday, December 13, 2012 7:41AM EST

Chelsea FC players celebrate after Juan Mata (10) scored a goal against CF Monterrey in the first half of their semifinal match at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Yokohama, Japan on Dec. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

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YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Chelsea reached the Club World Cup final by scoring twice in the first three minutes of the second half to beat Monterrey 3-1 on Thursday.

The Champions League winner will face Copa Libertadores champ Corinthians in Sunday's final. Corinthians edged Egypt's Al-Ahly 1-0 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

Spanish striker Fernando Torres put Chelsea up 2-0 in the first minute of the second half when he took a pass from Eden Hazard and hit a left-footed shot that deflected in off a Monterrey defender. Two minutes later, Juan Mata's cross was knocked in by Monterrey defender Darvin Chavez for an own goal that made it 3-0.

Monterrey finally scored through Aldo De Nigris in injury time.

Chelsea took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. Oscar made a nifty back-heel pass to Ashley Cole, who centered the ball to Mata, who powered a low drive from 15 yards.