Chelsea delivered a stunning performance on Sunday night, defeating French giants Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the final of the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The match, held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marked a historic moment in club football as the first-ever 32-team edition of the global tournament concluded with a Premier League side lifting the trophy.

Led by Cole Palmer, who scored twice and assisted once, Chelsea dominated proceedings, leaving a star-studded PSG side shell-shocked by halftime.

Palmer Leads Early Onslaught

Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Malo Gusto’s initial shot was blocked. The rebound found Palmer, who calmly placed a low shot into the bottom left corner past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Eight minutes later, Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead. Exploiting a defensive lapse with PSG’s left-back out of position, he drove forward on the right flank and fired home another precise finish into the same corner.

The 43rd minute saw Palmer once again in the thick of the action, this time turning provider. A poor defensive setup by PSG allowed him the time and space to feed Joao Pedro, who clipped the ball past Donnarumma to make it 3–0. The goal sealed a commanding first half and effectively put the contest out of reach for PSG.

PSG Crumbles Under Pressure

Paris Saint-Germain entered the final as heavy favorites, having demolished Real Madrid 4–0 in the semifinals and crowned themselves Champions League winners earlier in the season. However, they were caught cold by Chelsea’s blistering start.

Despite chances in the early stages, including one missed opportunity when Desire Doue failed to convert inside the box, PSG never found their rhythm. Their only real moment of threat came in first-half stoppage time, when João Neves’ header narrowly missed the target.

Chelsea, on the other hand, looked sharper, faster, and far more composed. Palmer nearly completed a hat-trick, while substitute Liam Delap came close to adding a fourth in the second half.

Late Drama and Red Card

The evening went from bad to worse for PSG when João Neves was shown a red card in the 86th minute after a VAR review confirmed he had pulled Marc Cucurella by the hair off the ball. The dismissal symbolized PSG’s growing frustration and disarray as Chelsea cruised to victory.

A New Era for Chelsea

This triumph caps off a memorable season for Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca. Not only did the Blues finish fourth in the Premier League, but they also lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy. Now, with this Club World Cup title added to their haul, Chelsea have re-established themselves as a dominant force in global football.

They also walk away with a massive prize purse—an estimated $125 million—which makes the grueling tournament schedule and short offseason easier to accept. Joao Pedro, signed during the tournament from Brighton, made an instant impact, scoring in both the semifinal and final.

For Palmer, this tournament confirmed his star status. Widely featured in promotional campaigns across the United States during the tournament, he lived up to his billing with a sensational performance in the final. His two goals and assist earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

PSG Left Reflecting on Missed Opportunity

For Paris Saint-Germain, the final result was a bitter disappointment. After completing a domestic treble and conquering Europe, they had hoped to add the Club World Cup to cap a perfect season. Instead, their players left the field deflated.

While the team will still take home a substantial financial reward—estimated to be around $88 million—the loss leaves questions for head coach Luis Enrique. The Spaniard found himself at the center of post-match controversy when he appeared to shove Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. Enrique later claimed he was trying to de-escalate a brewing conflict between players.

A Night of Firsts: Trump, Halftime Show, and Record Attendance

The final was also notable for its American flair. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in attendance, joining FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the medal and trophy presentation. Trump’s appearance sparked mixed reactions from the crowd, with a noticeable round of boos ringing through the stadium.

The match attracted more than 81,000 fans, setting a new attendance record for a FIFA Club World Cup final. Adding to the spectacle was the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA tournament, featuring Coldplay, Doja Cat, and J Balvin in a Super Bowl–style performance that reinforced FIFA’s vision to globalize the event.

Record Prize Pool and Revenue

This year’s expanded tournament included a record-breaking $1 billion prize pool. Each participating team earned bonuses at different stages of the competition, with champions Chelsea netting the largest share. FIFA also reportedly generated over $2 billion in revenue from the tournament through sponsorship, media rights, and gate receipts.

The high stakes and large payouts underscored the governing body’s commitment to growing the Club World Cup into a premier international event rivaling the Champions League.

What’s Next?

Chelsea now head into a short summer break before kicking off their new Premier League campaign in August. Their victory in the United States is expected to give the squad a significant morale boost ahead of a demanding 2025–26 season.

For PSG, the team will need to regroup quickly. They return to action in a month when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup. Despite falling short in the Club World Cup final, their season remains a major success overall.

Conclusion

Chelsea’s 3–0 demolition of Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final was more than a surprise—it was a statement. With Palmer leading the way, the Blues overcame one of Europe’s strongest sides with style, composure, and clinical finishing.

The match also marked a turning point in how club football is packaged and presented globally. With packed stadiums, halftime spectacles, massive prize money, and VIP attendees, FIFA’s new Club World Cup format has raised the stakes and delivered on entertainment. And at the center of it all, Chelsea have emerged as worthy, historic champions.