Chelsea Triumphs Over PSG in Club World Cup Final: A Historic Victory
Chelsea Dominates PSG in Club World Cup Final
East Rutherford (USA): Cole Palmer was the star of the match, netting two goals and assisting João Pedro, leading Chelsea to a commanding 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the inaugural expanded Club World Cup final on Sunday.
Palmer scored his first goal in the 22nd minute and quickly followed it up with another in the 30th, both from just inside the penalty area. He then set up João Pedro for a goal in the 43rd minute, allowing him to chip the ball over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, marking his third goal in just two matches for Chelsea.
At just 23 years old, Palmer, who transferred from Manchester City two years ago, has already tallied 18 goals this season.
PSG faced a setback when João Neves received a red card in the 84th minute for a foul on Marc Cucurella, leaving the team with ten players. The match ended with heightened tensions, resulting in a confrontation between PSG's coach Luis Enrique and goalkeeper Donnarumma with João Pedro.
PSG, who had been a favorite with a remarkable record of 16-1 in goals scored against opponents, aimed for a quadruple after clinching Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their first Champions League title.
The final was witnessed by a record crowd of 81,188 at MetLife Stadium, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who faced boos during his appearance for the post-match awards. He later posed for photos with Chelsea players after presenting the trophy to captain Reece James.
Chelsea, having finished fourth in the Premier League and secured the UEFA Conference League title, claimed the world title for the second time, previously winning in 2021 when the tournament featured seven teams. The club earned a prize of $128,435,000, with the total amount depending on undisclosed FIFA participation fees.
This defeat marked PSG's first loss by three goals since a 4-1 setback against Newcastle in the Champions League back in October 2023.
Key Moments
Chelsea opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when goalkeeper Robert Sánchez launched the ball downfield, leading to a misdirected header from Nuno Mendes that fell into Chelsea's path. Palmer capitalized on a rebound after a blocked shot from Malo Gusto, ending PSG's impressive streak of 436 minutes without conceding.
Palmer's second goal came in the 30th minute after he received a long pass from Levi Colwill, skillfully maneuvering before taking his shot.
Looking Ahead
As Chelsea prepares for the upcoming 2025-26 season, which kicks off in less than five weeks, the team is optimistic about competing for the Premier League title against formidable rivals like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.