In a dazzling display of tactical brilliance and attacking flair, Chelsea FC triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain with a commanding 3-0 victory in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13
This final marked the first edition of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup format, and Chelsea made history by becoming its first champions. The match was played in front of a packed crowd of over 81,000 spectators, including U.S. President Donald Trump, and featured a fighter-jet flyover and an extended halftime show that added to the spectacle.
Cole Palmer: The Star of the Show
Cole Palmer was the undisputed hero of the night. The 23-year-old English forward delivered a first-half masterclass, scoring twice in quick succession and assisting the third goal. His first came in the 22nd minute, finishing off an assist from Malo Gusto with precision. Just eight minutes later, Palmer doubled the lead with a near-identical strike, showcasing his composure and clinical finishing.
Palmer then turned provider, threading a perfect through ball to João Pedro, who chipped PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 3-0 before halftime. Pedro’s goal capped off a brilliant tournament for the Brazilian, who had also scored twice in the semifinal against Fluminense.
PSG entered the final as heavy favorites, having swept Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League, including a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semifinals. But Luis Enrique’s side looked shell-shocked by Chelsea’s intensity and tactical discipline.
Their frustration boiled over late in the match when João Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair, ending any hopes of a comeback.
Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Masterclass
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s game plan was . executed to perfection. His decision to start Levi Colwill and Reece James paid dividends, and his team’s relentless pressing and sharp transitions overwhelmed PSG’s star-studded lineup. “The gaffer put a great game plan out,” Palmer said post-match. “He knew where there would be space and tried to free me up as much as possible. I just had to repay him and score some goals”.
Legacy and Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s victory not only earned them global glory but also an estimated £111 million in prize money. It marks a significant milestone in the club’s resurgence under Maresca and sets the tone for their ambitions in the Premier League and Champions League next season.
For PSG, the loss is a bitter pill after a near-perfect season. But for Chelsea, it’s a night that will be remembered as the beginning of a new era.
