Chelsea have become the first club to win all three major UEFA competitions after a 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final.
The Blues, trailing 1-0 at halftime, roared back in the second half with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo to clinch the trophy and cap a remarkable debut season for manager Enzo Maresca.
The match started with Real Betis taking the lead in the ninth minute, as Isco’s clever pass found Abde Ezzalzouli, who fired into the bottom corner for his sixth Conference League goal of the campaign.
Los Verdiblancos, already assured of a UEFA Europa League spot next season via a sixth-placed La Liga finish, looked dangerous and nearly doubled their advantage when Marc Bartra’s curled shot was tipped over by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Johnny Cardoso also squandered a golden chance, blasting over from close range.
Chelsea, determined to end a nine-match losing streak for English clubs against Spanish sides in UEFA finals, struggled to create clear chances before the break. However, Maresca’s halftime introduction of captain Reece James sparked a dramatic turnaround.
In the 65th minute, Cole Palmer’s pinpoint cross was headed home by Enzo Fernandez to level the score. Just five minutes later, Palmer’s dazzling dribble and whipped delivery set up Nicolas Jackson for a simple tap-in, putting the Blues ahead.
The momentum firmly with Chelsea, substitutes Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho combined brilliantly in the 83rd minute, with Sancho unleashing a stunning strike into the top corner to seal the win.
Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, his deflected effort securing a fifth consecutive European final victory for the West London outfit.
Maresca, speaking to reporters after the match, expressed hope that this triumph marks the beginning of a bright future. “The message after Nottingham was if we want to be an important team, what we have done is done,” he said. “Now we need to win the final. I’m very proud and happy for many reasons, for myself, but also because I know the fans deserve that. They have been waiting for two or three years for good moments.”
The Italian also addressed his decision to leave captain Reece James on the bench initially, citing the need to manage his injury history. “I promise you, I will always start with Reece, but I’m trying to protect him,” Maresca explained.
“He played more games this season than in the last two or three years. He’s a top player, like Cole. When we changed him, he said, ‘Don’t worry, we’re going to win the game.'”
Chelsea’s official X account celebrated the historic achievement, posting: “CHAMPIONS! Chelsea make history as the first club to win all three UEFA competitions! A night to remember in Poland! #CFC #UEFAConferenceLeague”. Maresca also took to X, sharing his pride: “Incredibly proud of this team and our fans. This is just the start—more to come! #Blues #HistoryMakers”.
The victory not only secures the Conference League title but also guarantees Chelsea a Champions League spot next season after their fourth-placed Premier League finish. With significant investment, hundreds of millions of pounds spent over the past three or four years, the Blues have delivered silverware and a platform to build on. “Hopefully, this can be a starting point from tonight, and we can create something important,” Maresca added, fueling optimism among fans for a new era of success.