Chelsea produced a commanding performance to defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, lifting the prestigious trophy for the second time in their history. The English side, led by a brilliant display from Cole Palmer, dismantled the European champions in a dominant first half that set the tone for their emphatic victory.
Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a well-placed left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area after a defensive miscue by PSG’s Nuno Mendes. The goal came after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez launched a long clearance, which Mendes attempted to head back but misjudged, allowing Chelsea to pounce. Malo Gusto’s shot was initially blocked, but the rebound fell perfectly to Palmer, who made no mistake.
Just eight minutes later, Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead with another left-footed finish. This time, he latched onto a long ball from Levi Colwill, cut inside from the right, and fired into the net, capitalizing on PSG’s disorganized back line. The momentum remained firmly with Chelsea as Palmer turned provider in the 43rd minute, threading a through ball to Joao Pedro. The Brazilian forward calmly chipped PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 3-0, putting the match beyond reach before halftime.
The victory came before a record crowd of over 81,000 fans at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, creating a fitting stage for the revamped Club World Cup’s conclusion. Chelsea appeared fresher and sharper, benefiting from an extra day of rest following their semifinal compared to PSG.
PSG, who came into the match aiming to complete a historic quadruple after winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their first UEFA Champions League title, looked overwhelmed. Their tournament form, which had seen them outscore opponents 16-1, was abruptly halted. Tensions boiled over in the closing stages, with Joao Neves receiving a red card in the 84th minute after dragging down Marc Cucurella by the hair. A brief on-field scuffle ensued as tempers flared, with players and coaches needing to be separated after a heated exchange near the center circle.
The loss marked PSG’s heaviest defeat in nearly two years, with their last three-goal margin defeat coming in a Champions League clash with Newcastle in 2023. Chelsea’s relentless pressing and cohesive counter-attacks exposed the vulnerabilities in PSG’s setup, and their backline, which had been formidable throughout the tournament, collapsed under pressure.
Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, capped a standout season with 18 goals and was named player of the match for his decisive contributions in the final. The win adds another major honor to Chelsea’s trophy cabinet and signals their resurgence as a competitive force on the global stage.
Chelsea, who finished fourth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Conference League last season, now set their sights on the upcoming campaign with renewed confidence. With this triumph, they walk away not only with silverware but a substantial financial reward, expected to range between $128.4 million and $153.8 million, depending on undisclosed FIFA participation fees.
As the new season looms, Chelsea looks determined to challenge domestic giants like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool for the English crown—fueled by a belief that this global victory is only the beginning.
