Chelsea beat PSG to win Club World Cup as Palmer stars in New Jersey | OneFootball

Chelsea stun PSG to claim Club World Cup crown in style

Palmer lights up New Jersey

Cole Palmer chose the perfect stage to enrich his growing reputation. The England midfielder scored twice inside ten electric minutes at the MetLife Stadium, guiding Chelsea to a commanding 3–0 win over PSG that secured the inaugural expanded Club World Cup. His first, a precise low finish beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma after Malo Gusto escaped Nuno Mendes, set the tone. His second, struck from an almost identical spot on the edge of the box, gave Chelsea a cushion that never looked likely to deflate.

Relentless pressing frustrates European champions

Enzo Maresca had labelled PSG “the best in the world” before kick-off and instructed his players to treat the final like a Premier League derby. The message resonated. Chelsea pressed high, pinched possession in dangerous areas and snapped into tackles that disoriented the French champions. Palmer was conductor and assassin. Seconds before half-time his slide-rule pass released new signing Joao Pedro, who calmly lifted the ball over Donnarumma to complete a first-half display that bordered on ruthless.

Sanchez stands tall in decisive moments

PSG began the second period with urgency. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s angled drive demanded a sharp stop from Robert Sanchez and Ousmane Dembélé’s close-range effort moments later brought an even better reflex save. Chelsea’s goalkeeper, often scrutinised during a turbulent domestic campaign, produced assurance that underpinned defensive resilience. Substitute Liam Delap forced Donnarumma into one of his few meaningful interventions yet by then the trophy’s destination felt inevitable.

Enrique reaction mars finale

Frustration boiled over for PSG when João Neves saw red on 85 minutes after a video check confirmed he had pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair during a tangle near the touchline. Tempers carried into the handshake line where Luis Enrique appeared to slap Joao Pedro, prompting unused substitute Presnel Kimpembe to restrain his coach. Questions will follow the Spaniard back to Paris, questions sharpened by the sight of Chelsea’s squad celebrating before 81118 spectators, the largest crowd of the tournament. Among them sat United States President Donald Trump alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, witnessing a victory estimated to be worth about £90 million to the London club in prize money and commercial bonuses.