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Kepa Arrizabalaga and a late substitution with penalties looming in a major cup final. Sound familiar?

 Kepa Arrizabalaga and a late substitution with penalties looming in a major cup final. Sound familiar?

In the 2019 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, the £71m Spaniard refused to come off for Willy Caballero late in injury time, an incident which has so far been the defining moment of his time at Stamford Bridge.

He saved one penalty on that occasion but they still lost - and he was fined by the club for disobeying manager Maurizio Sarri's instructions.

On Wednesday, the roles were reversed, with Kepa the man to come on. This time, it was the Uefa Super Cup against Villarreal in Belfast, with the game tied at 1-1 after Gerard Moreno cancelled out Hakim Ziyech's opener. And this time it ended in glory.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has opened up on the tactical decision that saw him replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga for the penalty shootout in the UEFA Super Cup Final.

The shot-stoper admitted that he was happy for the team and his teammate Kepa, who saved two penalties in the shootout.

Speaking after lifting the trophy, Mendy discussed his emotions.

The Senegal international said:"Of course I'm happy because we won. 

"We worked for this success. I knew since last year that if Kepa comes on the pitch he would help the team. He did today. I'm really happy with Kepa!"

Thomas Tuchel took Mendy off with minutes to go in extra time and Kepa replaced him, a decision that turned out to be a tactical masterclass as the Blues won the shootout.

"It's fantastic how Edouard accepted it," said Tuchel.

"He does not show the pride to not step off the field. He was happy to take this for the team."

Kepa, who lost his first-team place to Mendy last season, said: "It's not a typical situation but we arrived to penalties after Edouard did a fantastic job. Finally we won and we are so happy.

"I was ready because I knew this could happen. I tried to be ready, mentally and physically."

Mendy added: "I'm happy because we won. I knew since last year that if Kepa came on the pitch he would help the team."

BT Sport's pundits were impressed by Tuchel, Kepa and Mendy.

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said: "Thomas Tuchel can't miss. Everything he does works. We questioned him because of how well Mendy played but Kepa was fantastic in the shootout."

Former Chelsea forward Eni Aluko added: "This is the same Kepa who a few years ago nobody liked. He didn't look good. He's had an arc of a journey and is now a popular member of the squad."

Ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand said: "Kepa has been under immense scrutiny since he came to the club. You saw after his save what he means to this squad. They were all over him.

"Obviously Tuchel knew something we didn't. Before every penalty was taken he was right up in the face of the Villarreal players. He's got something about him. He has personality and character."

Kepa is not the first Spanish goalkeeper to make the headlines for an English club after a European final shootout against Villarreal this year. David de Gea missed from the spot in an epic Europa League climax as the Yellow Submarine beat Manchester United in May

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