Chelsea advances into final of Club World Cup

Frank Lampard dribbles away from Jesus Corona of Monterrey.

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Juan Mata scored an early goal, a resurgent Fernando Torres doubled the lead in the opening minute of the second half and Chelsea beat Monterrey 3-1 Thursday night to advance to the final of the Club World Cup against Brazil's Corinthians.

The Blues went ahead in the 17th minute when Oscar made a back-heel pass to Ashley Cole, who squared the ball to Mata. He scored on a low drive from 15 yards.

Torres, who has scored in five of six games under new manager Rafa Benitez, surprised goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco when he took a pass from Eden Hazard and his left-footed shot deflected off sliding defender Hiram Meir and looped into the goal.

Two minutes later, Mata's cross bounced in off a leg of defender Darvin Chavez for an own goal.

"It was a good game for us,'' said Benitez, who won the title with Inter Milan two years ago. "We had good tempo, good play and a lot of possibilities for us. I am pleased with the performance of our team.''

Torres has 12 goals this season, one more than his total for all of 2011-12.

"He is much sharper,'' Benitez said. "I hope it will be more of the same in the future.''

Aldo De Nigris scored in second-half injury time for Monterrey, which plays Egypt's Al-Ahly in the third-place game, which precedes Sunday's final.