Chelsea edged out Paris Saint-Germain with a 6-5 penalty-shootout victory in North Carolina this morning following a 1-1 draw in regulation.
The Blues looked on course for back-to-back losses on their US tour following the 4-2 reverse with New York Red Bulls when Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired PSG into a 1-0 half-time lead.
However, Victor Moses drew level with 25 minutes remaining to force the shootout, which was settled by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in sudden death.
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Fifteen minutes elapsed before either side managed a sight at goal in a cagey opening to the contest - a repeat of a fiery quarter-final Champions League tie earlier in March.
It came for PSG - who won the tie on away goals - as Lucas Moura, who exchanged a neat one-two with Ibrahimovic before drilling narrowly wide of the post.
Laurent Blanc's side continued to threaten in the final third and the French champions saw their perseverance rewarded on 25 minutes. Ibrahimovic was in the right place to slot home a rebound after Jean-Kevin Augustin's initial effort was parried.
The Premier League champions responded well and Kevin Trapp pulled off a smart save to deny Diego Costa.
At the other end, Les Parisiens resumed their dominance and missed a host of chances to extend their lead before the break, with Lucas and Marco Verratti particularly culpable.
On 62 minutes, Chelsea could have equalised but Cesc Fabregas's hesitation in front of goal allowed Marquinhos to recover, before Moses blasted wide from the rebound.
However, the Spanish playmaker made amends for his indecision by releasing his Nigerian counterpart shortly after, as Moses guided his effort past Trapp with aplomb.
Radamel Falcao - a season-long loan signing from AS Monaco - made his debut with a 68th-minute cameo, but the Colombian could not inspire Chelsea to victory in normal time as penalties loomed.
After five converted spot kicks, Juan Cuadrado looked to be the villain by missing, but Jean-Christophe Bahebeck also fluffed his lines from 12 yards as PSG still led 3-2.
The pivotal moment came when Courtois denied Thiago Silva, before the Belgian keeper stepped up to the spot and made no mistake to settle the contest.
Shane Callaghan
