Chelsea clinched the inaugural 32-club FIFA Club World Cup, with a commanding 3-0 victory over French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
The win, secured in the searing American heat at MetLife Stadium, was a statement performance from Enzo Maresca’s side, adding the ‘world champion’ title to their 2025 UEFA Conference League triumph.
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Palmer’s Masterclass Sinks PSG
England international Cole Palmer was the undisputed star of the show, delivering a sensational performance that guided Chelsea to glory. Having previously orchestrated their 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, Palmer once again pulled the strings.
While he assisted two goals in that previous final, he found his scoring touch against PSG, netting two near-identical finishes with his trusty left foot within eight minutes to give Chelsea a commanding 2-0 lead on the half-hour mark.
For PSG, this defeat was a significant blow. The French champions had enjoyed an unbeaten run through every competition since the start of the 2024-25 season, including the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions – until now. Chelsea simply outplayed their opponents across the pitch, leaving PSG with no complaints.
Premier League Hopes and Realities
The second half of the final passed largely without incident, with Chelsea comfortably seeing out the victory. The only notable moment was João Neves’ petulant dismissal with five minutes remaining, as he pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair while tracking back, effectively ending any faint hopes PSG had of a comeback.
While this momentous victory will undoubtedly be celebrated by Chelsea fans, the immediate focus now shifts to the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season, which kicks off in just 35 days against Crystal Palace. Despite this global success, expectations for Chelsea in the domestic league remain tempered.
Last season saw Chelsea finish fourth, a significant 15 points adrift of champions Liverpool. While this Club World Cup triumph might lead some to reconsider their pre-season predictions, a top-four finish remains Chelsea’s realistic target for the Premier League campaign.
Whilst a title challenge seeming unlikely, this historic Club World Cup win is a moment to savour for the Londoners.