Palmer's Magic Lifts Chelsea to Historic Club World Cup Win
If you blinked, you missed it—Cole Palmer tore through Paris Saint-Germain’s defense and seized the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup for Chelsea, making MetLife Stadium the place of dreams for the Blues' faithful. For all the talk of PSG’s loaded squad and their thumping 4-0 over Real Madrid in the semifinals, they looked outmatched and outworked as Chelsea claimed the spotlight in a packed stadium of 81,118 fans.
Cole Palmer stole the show. In just eleven hellish minutes for PSG, he bagged two goals and set up a third for João Pedro. The first—just past the twenty-minute mark—saw Palmer dance through three defenders in tight space, keeping his cool as he slotted the ball past PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. Minutes later, Palmer produced more magic, shimming past Lucas Beraldo as if the defender were standing still and blasting the second into the roof of the net.
PSG barely had time to regroup before Palmer popped up wide right, swung in a pinpoint cross, and João Pedro made it three. The French champions, usually so composed, looked dazed. Chelsea could barely believe their own dominance.
Chelsea’s Midfield Control Smothers PSG
Much of the credit goes to the engine room. Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo were everywhere, breaking up play, springing quick attacks, and taming PSG’s relentless high press. Even Kylian Mbappé and Vitinha found their space swallowed up whenever they tried to get involved. When PSG did threaten, Chelsea’s back line slammed the door shut.
PSG’s frustration boiled over in the final minutes. João Neves, already under pressure and perhaps letting nerves get the better of him, lashed out and pulled at Marc Cucurella’s hair in clear view of the referee. Out came the red card, and PSG were left to finish with ten men—an embarrassing end to a night that started with huge expectations for the Paris club.
This wasn’t just a win for Chelsea; it was a statement. This is their first major trophy since Enzo Maresca took over as manager, and their second FIFA Club World Cup after their 2021 win. Claiming it in the expanded 32-team tournament format, and with such style, cements Maresca’s blueprint and highlights Palmer’s growing stardom. While PSG now have only domestic trophies to chase, Chelsea heads home with a memory—and a piece of history—that will be hard to top.
