EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – Chelsea FC made history on Sunday night by defeating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3-0 to win the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
In front of 81,118 spectators—including former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania—Chelsea dominated the match from the outset, with Cole Palmer stealing the spotlight with two goals and an assist.
Palmer Shines in Final Showdown
Chelsea stunned the Champions League winners with a three-goal blitz in the first half. Palmer struck first in the 22nd minute, finishing off a loose ball after Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked. Eight minutes later, he doubled the lead with a composed low finish into the bottom corner after exploiting PSG’s defensive lapse.
Just before halftime, Palmer assisted Joao Pedro to make it 3-0, capping a remarkable first 45 minutes and effectively sealing the contest.
A Rough Day for PSG
The French giants came into the final as heavy favourites after demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals. But Chelsea’s high energy, sharp pressing, and clinical finishing left Luis Enrique’s side stunned.
PSG’s frustrations peaked late in the match when Joao Neves was shown a straight red card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair in an off-the-ball incident—confirmed after a VAR review.
Despite earlier dominating opponents throughout the tournament, PSG never threatened a comeback. Their only real chance came just before halftime when Neves narrowly missed a header.
Chelsea’s Remarkable Season Continues
With this victory, Chelsea capped off a remarkable campaign—having also won the UEFA Conference League and finishing fourth in the English Premier League. They now return home with $125 million in prize money and the prestige of being the first champions of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.
Joao Pedro, recently signed from Brighton, scored in both the semi-final and final, while Palmer was named Player of the Tournament.
First Club World Cup Final with Halftime Show and Presidential Attendance
This historic final had an American twist. Held at the NFL’s MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and Jets, the match featured the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA tournament, giving the event a Super Bowl-style spectacle.
The final also serves as a preview for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with MetLife Stadium also scheduled to host the final.
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