By Deborah Nnamdi
Chelsea FC secured their second FIFA Club World Cup title stunningly on Sunday night, defeating French giants Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the final at MetLife Stadium. The match, played in front of a packed stadium, marked the first final of the newly expanded 32-team tournament.
Cole Palmer was the star of the show, scoring twice in the first half and assisting João Pedro for the third. The 22-year-old’s performance not only earned him Man of the Match honors, but also the Player of the Tournament award.
Chelsea struck early, with Palmer breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute before doubling the lead just minutes later. His assist for João Pedro made it 3–0 before halftime, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. Despite PSG enjoying the majority of possession, Chelsea’s counter-attacking approach and defensive discipline proved too much for the Ligue 1 side.
“This was about belief, discipline, and clinical finishing,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said post-match. “I’m proud of the way the team handled the occasion.”
Tempers flared after the final whistle, with PSG manager Luis Enrique involved in a heated confrontation with Chelsea’s João Pedro. The Spanish coach appeared to grab the forward by the throat, while PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was also seen confronting Chelsea players. Tensions had been building late in the game, particularly after PSG midfielder João Neves was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.
Chelsea’s victory comes with a significant financial reward, with the West London club reportedly set to earn £93 million in prize money — a welcome boost ahead of the new Premier League season.
This win marks Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title, having previously won the 2021 edition in Abu Dhabi. More significantly, they are now the first-ever winners of the tournament in its new expanded format.
