Palmer-Inspired Chelsea Stuns PSG to Claim Inaugural Club World Cup Title
Chelsea triumphed 3-0 over PSG in the Club World Cup final, with Cole Palmer starring with two goals and an assist. The win marks Chelsea's first title in FIFA's new 32-team format, capping a successful season before 81,000 fans and U.S. President Trump in attendance.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Chelsea delivered a stunning performance to defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final on Sunday, securing the first-ever title of FIFA's new 32-team competition at MetLife Stadium. Cole Palmer was the undisputed star of the match, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a dominant first-half display.
Despite entering the final as favorites after a decisive 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the semi-finals, the UEFA Champions League winners were overwhelmed by a clinical Chelsea side. The roles were starkly reversed from their semi-final match, as PSG found themselves trailing 3-0 by halftime.
The scoring was opened by Palmer midway through the first half. He found the net again to double Chelsea's lead on the half-hour mark. Just before the break, in the 43rd minute, Palmer capitalized on passive defending from PSG to set up Joao Pedro, who made it 3-0.
PSG's difficult night was compounded in the closing moments when Joao Neves received a red card following a VAR review for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair in an off-the-ball incident.
The result marks a historic achievement for Chelsea, who cap a memorable season as the inaugural winners of the expanded Club World Cup. Their successful campaign also included winning the UEFA Conference League and securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League. The victory comes with a reported prize of around $125 million.
For PSG, while the financial takeaway is substantial, the loss represents a significant disappointment in their quest to add another major trophy to their Champions League and domestic double. The French champions will now have a month to recover before facing Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup.
The final was played before a crowd of 81,118, with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in attendance. The event featured the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA tournament, adding to the spectacle at the home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets.
PSG, who had only conceded one goal in their previous eight matches, struggled to mount a comeback in the second half. Chelsea substitute Liam Delap came close to adding a fourth, before Neves' late dismissal sealed a comprehensive victory for the London club.
