Chelsea crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions with stunning win over PSG
Chelsea have etched their name into history as the first-ever champions of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, thrashing Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final held in the United States.
In a stunning reversal of fortunes from their dominant display against Real Madrid earlier in the tournament, PSG found themselves on the receiving end of a ruthless first-half performance led by Cole Palmer. The 22-year-old ran the show, netting twice and providing an assist in a blistering opening 45 minutes that left Luis Enrique’s men reeling.
Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a precise low finish into the bottom corner, and repeated the trick just eight minutes later. Then, just before the break, Palmer slipped a sublime pass through to João Pedro, who made no mistake one-on-one – 3-0.
PSG may have cruised through the knockout rounds, but their attacking spark was snuffed out before half-time. They offered more threat after the restart – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé both had chances, with Sánchez producing a superb save to push Dembélé’s close-range strike onto the post.
Yet Chelsea never truly looked in danger. Enzo Maresca’s side were compact, disciplined and lethal on the break. Liam Delap twice threatened to add a fourth, only to be denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
In the end, the scoreline stayed at 3-0 – a remarkable triumph for Chelsea and a tactical triumph for Maresca, who outwitted his counterpart Enrique on the biggest stage.
Whatever the future holds for the expanded Club World Cup – a tournament that still divides opinion – Chelsea have made sure their name will forever be remembered as its inaugural champion.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Chelsea - PSG 3:0 (3:0)
Goals: Palmer Co., 22 (1:0); Palmer Co., 30 (2:0); João Pedro, 43 (3:0)
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Gusto; James R. (Dewsbury-Hall, 77); Colwill; Chalobah; Cucurella; Caicedo M.; Palmer Co.; Fernandez E. (Andrey Santos, 61); João Pedro (Delap, 67); Pedro Neto (Nkunku, 77)
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Penders; Slonina; Adarabioyo; Anselmino; Acheampong J. K.; Sarr; Lavia; Guiu Marc; Jackson N.; George
Yellow Cards: Pedro Neto 35; Caicedo M. 36; Gusto 40; Colwill 81
PSG: Donnarumma G.; Beraldo L.; Marquinhos; Mendes N.; Hakimi (Ramos G., 73); Vitinha F.; Kvaratskhelia (Barcola B., 58); Neves J. P. (till 84); Fabian Ruiz (Zaire-Emery, 73); Doue D. (Mayulu, 73); Dembele O.
Bench: Safonov M.; Tenas; Kamara N.; Kimpembe; Moscardo; Lee Kang-in; Mbaye
Yellow Cards: Dembele O. 88; Mendes N. 93
Red cards: Neves J. P. 84'
