Cole Palmer shines with a brace as Enzo Maresca’s Blues outclass star-studded Paris Saint-Germain in the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup final.
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey — July 13, 2025
In a dazzling display of tactical brilliance, Chelsea FC shocked the footballing world by thrashing Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final of the inaugural expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. With a record crowd of 81,118 in attendance at the MetLife Stadium and billions watching globally, the underdogs from London produced a masterclass to lift their second Club World Cup title and become the first champions of FIFA’s revamped global showpiece.
Against a PSG side that had demolished Real Madrid and Inter Milan in the semifinals and Champions League final respectively, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea delivered a performance for the ages—led by a sensational Cole Palmer—to claim $114.6 million in prize money and the right to wear the prestigious FIFA champions badge until 2029.
⚽ First Half Blitz: Chelsea Strike Three Times to Silence PSG
Chelsea’s victory was forged in an electric first half where they overwhelmed the French champions with pace, pressing, and precision. The opener came in the 22nd minute after a defensive blunder by PSG’s Nuno Mendes, who misjudged a long diagonal from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Malo Gusto pounced, recovering his blocked shot and feeding Cole Palmer, who clinically slotted home past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Just eight minutes later, Palmer doubled the lead in spectacular fashion. Receiving a through ball from Levi Colwill, the 22-year-old attacker dummied Lucas Beraldo and rifled another low shot into the same bottom-left corner. It was a moment of individual brilliance that left PSG reeling.
Chelsea’s third—before the half-time whistle—was a statement of intent. In the 43rd minute, Palmer turned creator, threading a pinpoint pass through PSG’s disjointed backline. New signing Joao Pedro, fresh from Brighton, beat the offside trap and lifted a composed lob over Donnarumma to seal an emphatic 3-0 advantage by halftime.
Enzo Maresca’s tactical blueprint—mirroring Botafogo’s successful high-press strategy from the group stage—targeted PSG’s left flank ruthlessly. The plan worked to perfection, with Chelsea’s relentless man-to-man pressing dismantling PSG’s rhythm and suffocating their midfield maestros Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.
🔐 Second Half: Chelsea Lock Down as PSG Lose Composure
Desperate to mount a comeback, PSG introduced urgency after the interval. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele forced strong saves from Robert Sanchez, who was imperious between the posts and ultimately earned the Golden Glove.
Chelsea, in contrast, shifted gears into game management mode. With Palmer orchestrating play and the defense holding firm, the Blues expertly slowed the tempo and denied PSG clear opportunities. Substitute Liam Delap came close to adding a fourth, but Donnarumma made a vital stop.
Frustration boiled over in the 83rd minute when PSG midfielder Joao Neves was shown a straight red card after VAR confirmed he pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair in retaliation during a corner. It capped off a nightmarish outing for the Ligue 1 and Champions League winners.
🏆 Post-Match Chaos, Awards, and Ceremony Drama
Tensions flared post-match as players from both sides clashed. In a flashpoint moment, PSG manager Luis Enrique appeared to shove Joao Pedro during a melee involving Nuno Mendes and Andrey Santos. While Enrique claimed he was separating players, video footage suggested otherwise and has triggered a potential FIFA review.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump, who controversially appeared on the pitch to help present the trophy, were on hand for the ceremony. Trump’s extended presence awkwardly delayed the trophy lift, prompting Chelsea captain Reece James to take initiative. Trump later claimed FIFA gifted him a commemorative version of the Club World Cup trophy—described as a “multifaceted orbital structure.”
A spectacular halftime show featuring Coldplay, J Balvin, Tems, Doja Cat, and Emmanuel Kelly added a Super Bowl-style flair to the occasion, reflecting FIFA’s ambition to elevate the Club World Cup’s entertainment value.
🌟 Star Performers: Palmer Leads the Charge
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – Unquestionably the man of the match, Palmer netted a clinical brace and provided an assist, winning the tournament’s Golden Ball. His viral scooter ride in Times Square after the match was the cherry on top of his breakout moment on the world stage.
- Joao Pedro (Chelsea) – Three goals in three games for the Brazilian striker capped by a cheeky lob in the final. His link-up with Palmer terrorized PSG’s defense.
- Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – Key saves throughout the second half preserved the clean sheet and earned him the Golden Glove. His long ball assist for the opening goal was also vital.
- Malo Gusto (Chelsea) – Set the tone with his intensity and direct play, assisting Palmer’s opener and dominating the right flank against Nuno Mendes.
- Desire Doue (PSG) – Despite the team’s collapse, the teenager won the tournament’s Best Young Player award for his performances in earlier rounds.
🧠 Tactical Masterclass: Maresca Outmaneuvers Enrique
Chelsea’s game plan was built on 329 days of preparation, according to Maresca. The decision to emulate Botafogo’s 1-0 win over PSG earlier in the tournament paid dividends. With only 126 passes completed by halftime, Chelsea’s approach prioritized directness, verticality, and exploiting PSG’s defensive gaps—especially behind Mendes.
PSG, despite enjoying 70% possession, were unusually error-prone. Former England midfielder Andros Townsend remarked, “I’ve never seen PSG turn the ball over as much as they did in that first half.” Their inability to cope with Chelsea’s press, paired with ineffective transitions, led to their worst defensive showing under Qatari ownership since 2011.
💰 Tournament Highlights and Prize Money
- Golden Ball: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Golden Glove: Robert Sanchez (Chelsea)
- Best Young Player: Desire Doue (PSG)
- Golden Boot: Gonzalo Garcia (Real Madrid) – 4 goals, 1 assist
- Chelsea Earnings: $114.6 million (including performance bonuses and participation fees)
- PSG Earnings: $106.9 million
- FIFA Revenue: $2.1 billion (per Gianni Infantino)
📊 Historical Context and Legacy
Chelsea’s triumph stunned pundits and fans alike. Entering the final with +370 odds to win in regulation, they defied expectations against a PSG squad fresh off a quadruple-winning season.
This win marked Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title—after 2021—and made them the first English club to win the competition twice. They now join elite company alongside Real Madrid (6 titles), Barcelona (3), Bayern Munich (2), and Corinthians (2).
Despite FIFA touting over 2.5 million in attendance across matches and 2-3 billion global viewers, critics continue to question the tournament’s prestige compared to the UEFA Champions League. Still, the match underscored the rising influence of American and Gulf-based football ownership on the global stage.
📅 What’s Next?
Chelsea players were granted a three-week break ahead of pre-season clashes with Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in early August. They kick off their 2025–26 Premier League campaign on August 17 against Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, PSG return to France facing internal questions—not only about Luis Enrique’s tactics and conduct but also their ability to regroup after a humbling loss on the world’s biggest club stage.
Levi Colwill said post-match, “We’ve shown the world what we’re capable of. This is just the beginning.”
As Palmer posted on X after the final: “They counted us out. We never stopped believing.”
Share This Post