Cole Palmer delivered a spectacular performance, scoring twice and assisting another goal, as Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to claim the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 trophy.
Palmer’s Stellar Performance Secures Glory
In a truly one-sided final held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Chelsea completely outplayed a dominant Paris Saint-Germain. The spotlight belonged to midfielder Cole Palmer, whose clinical finishing and creative play sealed the victory for the Blues.
Palmer’s masterclass included two crucial goals and an assist for Joao Pedro. His devastating display left the European and French champions stunned, as PSG ultimately finished the match with ten men.
Underdog Story: Chelsea Defies Expectations
PSG entered the tournament as heavy favorites, having already secured a historic treble, including their first-ever Champions Trophy alongside Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles. Their path to the final was equally impressive, with convincing wins over Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.
Chelsea, on the other hand, arrived after winning Europe’s third-tier Conference League and a domestic season where they just managed a top-four Premier League finish. Many expected a tight contest, a “game of chess” as Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had predicted, but what unfolded was a decisive victory for the London club.
The Goals That Secured the Cup
Chelsea opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. A miscue from PSG fullback Nuno Mendes allowed Malo Gusto to regain possession. Gusto then found an unmarked Palmer in the box, who calmly slotted the ball just inside the left post.
Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead with a goal of sublime quality after the 30-minute cooling break. Receiving a precise through ball from Levi Colwill, he cut inside, faked a pass to dummy a defender, and fired into the bottom-left corner.
The English midfielder then turned provider. Running down the channel, Palmer delivered a perfect pass to Joao Pedro, who beat the offside trap and chipped his finish beautifully over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, extending Chelsea’s lead to three goals.
PSG’s Frustration Boils Over
PSG’s mounting frustration culminated in Joao Neves being sent off in the 83rd minute for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair. The Parisian players grew increasingly agitated as the match slipped away from them.
After the final whistle, the tension briefly flared with players confronting each other. However, the skirmishes quickly dissipated as Chelsea’s squad turned their attention to celebrating their well-deserved victory with their fans.
- Cole Palmer was the standout performer, contributing two goals and one assist.
- Chelsea secured a dominant 3-0 victory over pre-tournament favorites PSG.
- PSG finished the match with 10 men due to Joao Neves’ late red card.
This win marks another significant triumph for Chelsea, who had previously won the Club World Cup in its earlier format in 2021.
