New Jersey, USA – Chelsea stunned favorites Paris
Saint-Germain with a commanding 3-0 victory in the Club World Cup final on
Sunday, lifting the inaugural expanded 32-team trophy at MetLife Stadium. Star
forward Cole Palmer stole the show with two goals and an assist, capping a
remarkable season for the Blues.
Palmer Shines as Chelsea Stun Champions
PSG entered the match as heavy favorites, fresh off a UEFA Champions League triumph and a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semifinals. Yet, Chelsea flipped the script, racing to a 3-0 lead by halftime.
Palmer broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, slotting home after Malo Gusto’s initial effort was blocked. The Englishman doubled the lead just eight minutes later, coolly finishing a low drive into the bottom corner. He then turned provider before halftime, capitalizing on lax defending to set up João Pedro for Chelsea’s third.
PSG’s Night to Forget
The French champions’ misery was compounded when João Neves received a late red card after a VAR review for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair off the ball. PSG, who had conceded just once in their previous eight matches, offered little resistance, failing to mount a comeback despite Neves’ near-miss before halftime.
A Historic Season for Chelsea
The victory sealed a memorable campaign for Chelsea, who also claimed the UEFA Conference League and finished fourth in the Premier League. Their success comes with a staggering $125 million prize payout, softening the blow of a shortened summer break.
For PSG, the defeat stings after a historic treble-winning season in Europe and domestically. Yet, with the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham looming in a month, Luis Enrique’s side must quickly regroup.
Political Star Power in Attendance
The spectacle drew a crowd of 81,118, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, with the Manhattan skyline providing a glittering backdrop. But the night belonged to Chelsea—and Palmer, whose breakout performances in the U.S. mirrored his billboard prominence during the tournament.
As the final whistle blew, Chelsea etched their name into
history as the first-ever winners of the revamped Club World Cup, proving their
resilience on the global stage.