On May 28, 2025, Chelsea Football Club etched their name into football history, defeating Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final at Stadion Wrocław in Wrocław, Poland.
This emphatic victory crowned Chelsea as the first club to win all five major UEFA men’s club competitions—Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
Guided by a second-half masterclass from Cole Palmer and tactical brilliance from manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea overcame an early deficit in a match officiated by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Irfan Peljto.
The Match: A Tale of Two Halves
The final, played before a passionate crowd of 42,771 at Stadion Wrocław, began at 9:00 PM CET. Chelsea, the favorites after a dominant campaign, faced a spirited Real Betis side in their first-ever European final.
The match unfolded as a dramatic clash, with Chelsea trailing 1-0 at halftime before staging a stunning second-half comeback to secure a 4-1 victory.
Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo, coupled with two crucial assists from Cole Palmer, defined Chelsea’s triumph, while Abde Ezzalzouli’s early strike was Betis’ sole moment of glory.
In the opening half, Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm against a well-drilled Real Betis team managed by Manuel Pellegrini, a veteran coach who once mentored Maresca at Málaga and West Ham.
Betis seized the initiative in the ninth minute when Ezzalzouli fired a clinical shot past Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen, capitalizing on a precise pass from Isco, the 33-year-old former Real Madrid star who controlled the midfield.
The goal exposed defensive frailties, particularly right-back Malo Gusto’s failure to track Ezzalzouli’s run.
Betis’ tactical discipline and high press overwhelmed Chelsea, with Isco orchestrating play and Ezzalzouli tormenting the Blues’ backline. Jørgensen’s diving save to deny Marc Bartra in the 13th minute and Benoît Badiashile’s critical block on Johnny Cardoso’s shot in the 21st minute kept Chelsea in the game, but their attack, including a subdued Cole Palmer, offered little threat.
As The Guardian described Chelsea’s first half as “shambolic,” fans booed the team off at halftime, reflecting their frustration. Despite their dominance, Betis’ failure to convert further chances would prove costly.
The second half saw a transformed Chelsea, sparked by Maresca’s pivotal halftime substitution of captain Reece James for the struggling Gusto.
James’ presence stabilized the right flank and shifted the momentum, while Betis began to tire, further hampered by Ezzalzouli’s injury-forced exit due to a sprained ankle.
In the 65th minute, Cole Palmer ignited Chelsea’s comeback, weaving through defenders on the right and delivering a perfect curling cross that Enzo Fernández headed into the bottom corner to level the score at 1-1.
Six minutes later, Palmer struck again, his precise cross finding Nicolas Jackson, who chested the ball in at the near post to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead.
The momentum was firmly with the Blues, and in the 83rd minute, substitute Jadon Sancho, assisted by fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, curled a beautiful shot into the net to make it 3-1, showcasing Chelsea’s depth.
In stoppage time, Moisés Caicedo added a fourth goal with a low, deflected strike from the edge of the box, leaving Betis goalkeeper Adrián helpless and sending Chelsea fans into raptures.
Turning Points and Key Performances
Cole Palmer emerged as the match’s defining figure, overcoming a quiet first hour to deliver two game-changing assists in a five-minute span.
His ability to find space, evade defenders, and provide pinpoint crosses underscored his status as one of Europe’s brightest talents, earning him widespread praise as the match’s standout performer.
Maresca’s tactical acumen proved equally decisive, with the introduction of Reece James at halftime stabilizing Chelsea’s defense and unlocking their attacking potential.
James, managed carefully due to his injury history, exuded confidence, reportedly telling Maresca, “Boss, don’t worry, we’re going to win the game.” This bold prediction epitomized Chelsea’s second-half resurgence.
Real Betis, despite their first-half dominance, faltered under the weight of fatigue and injuries. Ezzalzouli’s exit disrupted their attacking threat, and their defense struggled to contain Chelsea’s relentless pressure after the equalizer.
Pellegrini later admitted, “We lost our shape after the first goal,” while goalkeeper Adrián noted the team’s loss of composure. The match also highlighted the financial and competitive disparity between the two sides.
Chelsea’s deep squad, with high-caliber substitutes like Sancho and Dewsbury-Hall, overwhelmed Betis, often described as a team of “Premier League cast-offs,” underscoring the Blues’ superior resources and depth.
A Historic Milestone
Chelsea’s 4-1 victory marked a historic achievement, making them the first club to win all five UEFA men’s club competitions: the Champions League (2012, 2021), Europa League (2013, 2019), Conference League (2025), Super Cup (1998, 2021), and Cup Winners’ Cup (1971, 1998).
This feat elevated Chelsea above European giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, cementing their legacy in football history.
The triumph also ended a 1,201-day trophy drought since their 2021 Champions League win, marking their first major silverware under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Boehly, joined pitchside by co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano, celebrated a victory that signaled a new era of stability for the club.
The win broke a nine-game streak of Spanish victories over English teams in UEFA club competition finals, a run that began after Liverpool’s 2001 UEFA Cup triumph over Alavés.
Chelsea’s ability to overcome a La Liga side in a European final underscored their competitive edge, even in a competition often viewed as Europe’s third tier.
Chelsea’s Dominant Campaign
Chelsea’s path to the 2025 Conference League title was a masterclass in dominance, with 11 wins in 12 matches and a remarkable 41 goals.
Their league phase saw them overwhelm opponents, scoring eight goals against Noah, five against Shamrock Rovers, and four each against Gent and Panathinaikos, while securing victories over Heidenheim and Astana.
In the knockout rounds, Chelsea dispatched Copenhagen 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 16, overcame Legia Warszawa 4-2 in the quarter-finals despite a 2-1 home loss in the second leg, and crushed Djurgården 5-1 in the semi-finals, with 16-year-old Reggie Walsh earning plaudits for his performances.
Real Betis, in contrast, took a grittier path, finishing 15th in the league phase before defeating Gent (3-1), Vitória Guimarães (6-2), Jagiellonia Białystok (3-1), and Fiorentina (4-3).
Their run, driven by players like Antony, who recorded seven goal involvements in eight matches, marked a historic milestone for the Seville club, despite the final defeat.
Voices from the Final
Post-match reactions captured the emotional weight of the occasion. Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, hailed the victory as a foundation for a “winners’ mentality,” stating, “This is a starting point. I’m thrilled for the club, the fans, and the players. To be the first club to win all five UEFA competitions is something special.”
Cole Palmer, typically understated, reflected, “It was tough early on, but I found space in the second half, and we got the job done. Being part of the only team to win every UEFA trophy feels incredible.”
For Real Betis, the loss was bittersweet. Manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed pride despite the defeat: “We played a fantastic first half, created chances, and scored, but injuries and fatigue hurt us. I’m proud of our journey to our first European final—sometimes football doesn’t go your way.”
Goalkeeper Adrián echoed this sentiment, saying, “Conceding the equalizer changed everything. It’s a tough night, but as a Betis fan, I’m proud of our club and supporters for reaching this stage.”
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill captured the fans’ joy: “To win every UEFA trophy as a club—it’s unreal. This is my first European title, and with Champions League football next season, it doesn’t get much better.”
Despite not filling their 12,500-ticket allocation, Chelsea fans created a raucous atmosphere, while Betis players, including Isco and Pablo Fornals, were visibly emotional. Fornals, in particular, missed a chance to become the first player to win two Conference League titles.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s triumph capped a resurgent 2024/25 season, with a fourth-place Premier League finish securing Champions League qualification for 2025/26.
For Maresca, in his first season, the victory validated his vision for a youthful squad with an average starting XI age of just 24 years and 36 days—the youngest in Premier League history.
Emerging talents like Reggie Walsh underscored Chelsea’s commitment to youth development, while stars like Palmer, Sancho, and Jackson are poised to shine in the Champions League.
For Real Betis, reaching their first European final was a testament to their progress under Pellegrini, despite the defeat highlighting the competitive gap with clubs like Chelsea. The match underscored the financial and squad disparities, with Chelsea’s resources proving decisive.
Chelsea’s historic victory positions them as a formidable force in the 2025/26 Champions League, with their blend of youth and experience signaling a bright future.
For fans and the Boehly-led ownership, the win provided a moment of unity and optimism, marking a turning point after a turbulent period.
What Next?
Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the 2025 UEFA Conference League final was a defining moment, cementing their legacy as the first club to conquer all five UEFA men’s competitions.
Cole Palmer’s second-half heroics, Enzo Maresca’s tactical brilliance, and the squad’s unrelenting depth transformed a shaky start into a dominant display.
As Chelsea celebrates this unparalleled achievement, Real Betis can take pride in their historic journey. The football world now awaits Chelsea’s next chapter, with their youthful squad ready to take on Europe’s elite.
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