- PSG, the reigning Champions League champions and heavy favourites before the match, were taken aback by Chelsea’s intensity and decisiveness.
Palmer’s exceptional performance was the highlight of Chelsea’s victory. Having joined from Manchester City just two years prior, the young forward has become the team's creative core.
Chelsea delivered an impressive performance on July 13, 2025 easily defeating Paris Saint-Germain with a significant 3–0 win to claim the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
In a match that many anticipated would be closely contested, it was Cole Palmer who shone the brightest.
The 23-year-old captain opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, taking advantage of a defensive mistake by PSG’s Nuno Mendes to slot the ball home with poise.
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Just eight minutes later, Palmer increased Chelsea’s lead with a stunning curling shot from the edge of the box that left Gianluigi Donnarumma motionless.
As the first half came to a close, Palmer turned into an assist provider, playing a perfectly weighted ball through for João Pedro, who made it 3–0 before the break.
PSG, the reigning Champions League champions and heavy favourites before the match, were taken aback by Chelsea’s intensity and decisiveness.
Their frustration boiled over late in the game when João Neves received a red card in the 85th minute for yanking Marc Cucurella’s hair, igniting a heated exchange between the two teams.
After the match concluded, Palmer, who was subsequently awarded the tournament's Golden Ball, reflected on his crucial contribution. “We played with courage and unity,” he expressed. “To score twice in a final and lift the trophy for Chelsea is something I’ve always dreamed of.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who secured his first major trophy since taking over last summer, commended his team’s discipline and composure.
“We knew PSG would have moments in the game,” Maresca noted, “but our defensive structure and quality on the counterattack made all the difference. This is only the start for us.”
For PSG, this loss served as a harsh reminder of the unpredictability of football. “We weren’t sharp enough, especially in the opening half,” acknowledged head coach Luis Enrique. “Against a team as well-organized and aggressive as Chelsea, those errors can be detrimental.”
Palmer’s exceptional performance was the highlight of Chelsea’s victory. Having joined from Manchester City just two years prior, the young forward has become the team's creative core.
With two goals and an assist in the final, his impact was unmistakable, and his calmness under pressure indicated the rise of a new leader at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s win not only marks their second Club World Cup title but also their first under the new 32-team format of the tournament. This victory solidifies Maresca’s vision of integrating youth with experience.
It provides a significant boost as the club looks ahead to the upcoming Premier League season and next month’s UEFA Super Cup matchup.
While PSG will head back to Europe to regroup and resolve the defensive issues that proved so problematic, Chelsea’s players and supporters will relish this historic victory — a night when a young team showcased fearless football on the global stage and raised a trophy that could signify the beginning of a new chapter at Stamford Bridge.
