NEW JERSEY – Cole Palmer scored twice and assisted another as Chelsea cruised to a stunning 3-0 victory over UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final played on Sunday night at the MetLife Stadium.
Palmer, wearing the No. 10 shirt under new manager Enzo Maresca, produced a dazzling display that left the French champions with no answers, sealing Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title.
The 23-year-old broke the deadlock midway through the first half with a curling strike from the edge of the area and doubled his tally shortly after the cooling break, weaving through defenders before slotting in a low drive. He capped off the half by slipping a defence-splitting ball to Joao Pedro, who chipped Gianluigi Donnarumma for Chelsea’s third just before the interval.
PSG, who had won all five of their previous matches in the tournament without conceding, dominated possession but failed to test Chelsea’s defence. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez pulled off crucial saves from Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele to keep the French side scoreless.
Luis Enrique’s men struggled to recover after the break and were reduced to ten men late on when Joao Neves received a straight red card for a rash challenge following a VAR review.
Chelsea’s substitutes Liam Delap and Andrey Santos nearly extended the lead, but Donnarumma prevented further damage with two superb saves. Despite their territorial control, PSG managed just one shot on target, raising questions about their game plan and mental preparedness.
The result delivered a major statement from Chelsea, who returned to the Club World Cup after winning the UEFA Conference League. It also handed Maresca his first major international trophy in charge.
With the win, Chelsea became two-time Club World Cup champions, while PSG were left ruing what could have been after a near-perfect run into the final.
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