In a breathtaking display at MetLife Stadium, Chelsea stunned European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to claim the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, with Cole Palmer delivering a first-half masterclass that will live long in the memory.
The 22-year-old Englishman orchestrated PSG’s downfall with two exquisite goals and an assist before halftime, rewarding Chelsea’s faith after making him their record ยฃ80m signing last summer. His left-footed precision strikes in the 22nd and 30th minutes – both curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box – left Gianluigi Donnarumma helpless and the French giants shellshocked.
Palmer turned provider eight minutes later, slipping Joรฃo Pedro through on goal for the Brazilian to chip Donnarumma with similar composure, effectively sealing the ยฃ90m prize before halftime.
The Blues’ dominance was such that they led 3-0 before Doja Cat’s scheduled halftime performance, following pre-match entertainment from Robbie Williams and a U.S. Air Force flyover attended by former President Donald Trump.
PSG’s frustrations boiled over when Joรฃo Neves received a straight red card in the 85th minute for yanking Marc Cucurella’s hair, sparking post-match scuffles that saw manager Luis Enrique clash with goalscorer Pedro. The Spanish coach’s hopes of a fifth trophy this season evaporated against a Chelsea side who defended resolutely, with Robert Sรกnchez making crucial saves from Neves and Ousmane Dembรฉlรฉ to preserve his clean sheet.
The victory marks a spectacular turnaround for Chelsea, who entered as underdogs after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. For Palmer, it caps a remarkable individual campaign that now includes Conference League and Club World Cup final-winning contributions, further justifying his status as one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
As confetti rained down in New Jersey, Chelsea’s players celebrated with owner Todd Boehly, who watched his substantial investment pay dividends on the global stage. For PSG, the defeat raises fresh questions about their ability to translate domestic dominance into consistent international success, despite boasting arguably the world’s strongest squad on paper.
The tournament’s controversial expanded format – designed to rival football’s traditional elite competitions – found its first champions in Chelsea, who demonstrated that Premier League pedigree can still triumph over continental royalty when it matters most.
