Chelsea’s First-Half Masterclass
Chelsea took full control in the opening 45 minutes, with Cole Palmer delivering a standout performance:
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22nd minute – Palmer opened the scoring following a defensive error by PSG’s Nuno Mendes, slotting home after good work by Malo Gusto.
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30th minute – He doubled the lead with a near-identical strike, finishing expertly from a precise through ball by Levi Colwill.
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43rd minute – Palmer turned provider, threading a pass to João Pedro, who chipped the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal the victory before halftime.
Defensive Resilience and PSG Frustration
PSG struggled to break through Chelsea’s disciplined defence throughout the match. Despite holding roughly 66% possession, they generated few meaningful chances, and Robert Sánchez, in goal for Chelsea, thwarted key attempts. Late in the game, João Neves was shown a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair, after a VAR review, deepening PSG’s misery.
Accolades and Attendance
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Man of the Match: Cole Palmer, for his two goals and one assist.
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Attendance: A crowd of 81,118 watched the final in mostly cloudy, warm conditions at MetLife Stadium.
A Historic Triumph in a Revamped Tournament
This marks Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title, their first since winning in 2021, and the first under the tournament’s expanded format. Notably, it was also the first final contested by two European clubs, and the first featuring two clubs from the same confederation in the history of the competition.
Significant Financial Rewards
The revamped format came with substantial financial incentives. Chelsea earned over $110 million in total prize money, combining the tournament winning payout and progression bonuses – a reflection of the broader $1 billion investment by FIFA into the competition. PSG also earned over $100 million for finishing as runners-up.
This emphatic win highlighted Chelsea’s tactical discipline, clinical counter-attacking, and emerging talent in Palmer and João Pedro — achievements that position the club for continued success as they enter the 2025–26 season with renewed global prestige.
