Chelsea delivered a clinical performance to claim their first Club World Cup title in style, defeating Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Cole Palmer was the star of the night, playing a role in all three goals during a dominant first-half display that stunned the heavily favored French side.
PSG, who had dismantled Real Madrid and Inter Milan in previous matches, were tipped to complete a historic quadruple. But Chelsea had other plans.
Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a composed low finish after connecting with a Malo Gusto cut-back. Just eight minutes later, he doubled the lead with a near-identical strike, exposing PSG’s weakness down the left flank.
The third goal came after Palmer slipped in Joao Pedro, who chipped past Gianluigi Donnarumma with confidence, following up his brace against Fluminense in the semi-final. PSG’s frustration was later compounded when Joao Neves received a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair, and a post-match brawl marred the final moments.
The victory earns Chelsea approximately £100 million in prize money and makes them the inaugural champions of the newly expanded 32-team tournament. The triumph also adds to their earlier UEFA Conference League title, marking a memorable season for head coach Enzo Maresca.
“We set the tone in the first 10 minutes—even before the first goal,” said Maresca. “The intensity, the pressing—we were sharp from the start. I have no words for the players. They deserve every bit of this.”
The match also made headlines for its spectacle, featuring fighter-jet flyovers, a 24-minute halftime show (which breached IFAB regulations), and a surprise guest—former US President Donald Trump, who joined the Chelsea squad for the trophy lift.
While Chelsea celebrated their dominant win, PSG’s evening unravelled. Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, with pushing and shoving between both sides. However, the drama couldn’t overshadow Chelsea’s masterclass.
As Reece James lifted the trophy, joined awkwardly by Trump and watched by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Blues marked the end of their season with silverware, style, and a message to Europe’s elite: Chelsea are back.
