Cole Palmer delivered a spectacular performance to lead Chelsea to a stunning 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final of FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup on Sunday.
Held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the match saw the Premier League side outclass the European champions in front of a star-studded crowd that included US President Donald Trump.
Despite PSG entering the final as heavy favourites—fresh off a dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the semi-finals and a historic Champions League title—Chelsea flipped the script with a dazzling first-half display. Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, doubled his tally eight minutes later, and then assisted Joao Pedro for a third just before halftime.
A night to forget for PSG ended with Joao Neves receiving a red card in the closing minutes for an off-ball foul on Marc Cucurella, following a VAR review.
The emphatic win capped a remarkable season for Chelsea. In addition to their Club World Cup triumph, they secured the UEFA Conference League and a fourth-place Premier League finish. The team will also pocket an estimated $125 million in prize money from the tournament.
While PSG still walk away with financial rewards, the loss will sting. They had hoped to complete a historic quadruple, having already secured the French league, French Cup, and Champions League titles this season.
Palmer, the tournament’s standout figure and face of Chelsea’s US marketing campaign, justified the hype with another star turn. His composure and clinical finishing proved decisive, while new signing Joao Pedro continued his impressive form after a semi-final brace against Fluminense.
For Chelsea fans, the win marks a significant moment in the club’s resurgence. For PSG, the focus now turns to regrouping ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur next month.
What you should know
Chelsea made history by winning the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, defeating European giants PSG 3-0. Cole Palmer led the charge with two goals and an assist, cementing his status as Chelsea’s breakout star of the season.
