Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea: Blues make history with thrilling late comeback | OneFootball

Chelsea completed a stunning comeback to clinch the UEFA Conference League title, beating Real Betis 2-1 at Wrocław Stadium in Poland on Wednesday.

The Verdiblancos opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes with a brilliant curling strike from Abde Ezzalzouli. Both sides created chances before half-time, but the Spanish side held their lead going into the break, as Chelsea chased history by aiming to become the first club to win all three major European honours.

Second-half goals from Enzo Fernández and Nicolas Jackson shifted the momentum, putting The Blues ahead after a poor first-half display. Two more goals from Moisés Caicedo and Jadon Sancho wrapped up the game and secured the Conference League title for Chelsea.

As it happened

Real Betis started brightly and took the lead in the ninth minute through Abde Ezzalzouli when Isco picked up the ball on the left, drove into the heart of Chelsea’s defence and played a precise pass to the winger, who took a touch before rifling a shot past Filip Jörgensen into the top right corner.

The Spanish side should have doubled their lead, but good chances from Marc Bartra and Johnny Cardoso were denied by Jörgensen, who kept the scoreline level.

After dominating possession for much of the first half, Chelsea began to grow into the game and created their best chance just before half-time. Caicedo spun and chipped a ball over the top for Malo Gusto, who laid it off to Pedro Neto. The winger cut inside but fired well over the target from a tight angle.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side saw the rest of the first half out as they took a 1-0 lead going into the break. The Blues came out for the second half quicker and sharper as they looked for a way back into the game. They appealed for a penalty in the 55th minute after Noni Madueke was brought down in the box, but nothing was given despite a long VAR review.

Ten minutes later, the London side found their equaliser through Fernández. A brilliant lofted pass from Cole Palmer picked out the onrushing Fernández, who headed past Adrián, sending the Chelsea fans behind the goal into a frenzy as they clawed their way back into the match.

Moments later, Chelsea took the lead through Jackson. Once again, Palmer found space on the right, beat his man, and delivered a brilliant cross, which Jackson chested past Adrián to put the London side ahead for the first time in the match.

Sancho sealed the win in the 82nd minute after substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played him out to the left. Sancho cut onto his favoured right foot and curled a brilliant effort past Adrián to wrap up the game.

Chelsea added another goal through Caicedo in extra time, finishing a brilliant comeback and snatching the title away from a Spanish side that had been dreaming in the first half.

Ultimately, Enzo Maresca’s team showed too much quality, which proved decisive in the second half and helped Chelsea clinch the Conference League – their first trophy since the Club World Cup in 2021.

The lineups

BET: Adrian; Rodriguez, Natan, Bartra, Sabaly; Fornals, Cardoso; Ezzalzouli, Isco, Antony; Bakambu