EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Behind a brace from Cole Palmer, Chelsea won the Club World Cup in impressive fashion, toppling Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 81,118. When Palmer is in this kind of form, Chelsea can consider themselves to be one of the best teams in the world, and it showed by defeating the current holders of the Champions League in a rout. Few would've believed that the Blues could've won this coming into the match, but they left no doubt, scoring three goals in 11 minutes with Palmer as a central figure in all of them.
It felt like the Parisians ran out of steam in the match, and their press wasn't there as Chelsea created chance after chance with runs down the flanks. Malo Gusto ran through the PSG defense for Chelsea's opener, and from there, it seemed like only one team was playing in the match. The midfield of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo stood tall against PSG's trio, and Joao Pedro's presence again made a difference.
Since joining Chelsea on July 2, the Brazilian has now scored three goals as he has fit the attack like a glove. Players have been impressed with his fitness, being able to join the team from holiday in Brazil and immediately hit the ground running in the Club World Cup. It's exactly how Enzo Maresca will want to close out the season, with the Blues winning their first Club World Cup title since 2021, though this one was a 32-team field unlike in past editions.
Chelsea have been tested in this tournament, but after bouncing back from losing to Flamengo, the Blues have stood tall amid the heat and physicality to win the entire tournament. For PSG, while this can't spoil their treble-winning season, it does end it on a sour note to lose in this manner after running Real Madrid off the pitch in the semifinals. PSG will be back to make deep runs in tournaments moving forward, but it's a show of what putting miles like this on legs can do in quick succession.
Unlike Chelsea's midfield rotation, PSG relied on Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, and Vitinha exclusively in midfield and they couldn't keep up in losing to Chelsea. Neves ended up being sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair.
It's a moment to celebrate for the Blues and they'll even get to wear the Club World Cup winners patch on their jerseys for four years until the next tournament in 2029.
The Blues have now won their second Club World Cup title after waltzing past PSG. With a brace and an assist from Cole Palmer alongside a goal from Joao Pedro, there was only one team on the pitch during the match as Chelsea will be happy with earning their second trophy of the season.
This says how the day has gone for PSG with Neves pulling Marc Cucurella's hair in midfield and receiving an early shower for his efforts.
After picking up a knock, Reece James had to be withdrawn, with Dewsbury-Hall entering the match. The wave is also entering MetLife as a pro-Chelsea crowd is ready to celebrate.
Following the hydration break, Luis Enrique has subbed off Hakimi, Doue and Ruiz with Ramos, Mayulu and Zaire-Emery entering. It's going to be a long road to the end of the game for them.
After a strong start to the second half for PSG, Chelsea has now tightened up in possession. Andrey Santos and Liam Delap are on to close out the match, and more fresh legs will likely follow as they get closer to celebrating this victory.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has left the match, with Bradley Barcola entering. Like most of PSG, it has been a match to forget for the Georgian but that's a big time call as PSG needs goals fast.
PSG are pushing as the second half is underway. The Chelsea keeper is having an excellent game and ensuring that if there is another goal, it'll come to the Blues.
Chelsea's already looking to add a fourth goal. PSG hasn't made a change at the half but they'll need a quick goal to get things back on track.
It's time for some adjustments for PSG after Chelsea's dancing into the half with a three-goal lead. The Blues are only 45 minutes from securing a Club World Cup title and they just need to hold on now.
Thrice as nice for the Blues, and that may be it as Joao Pedro scores their third goal in the first half of play. This was already PSG's worst defensive performance of the Club World Cup, and the mountain to get back may be too much for them. It was Palmer who was the provider with a great chipped ball to open space for Joao Pedro to score.
Despite the strong start from Chelsea, the next goal is what will go a long way in determining this match. A quick goal from PSG can turn things around, while Chelsea getting another will push this out of sight.
It's Palmer again, and the Blues will feel good about their early lead in this one. PSG's defense hasn't been able to keep up in the early going, and even a hydration break won't slow things down for Chelsea in what is turning into an excellent first half of play.
PSG could use the stoppage to refocus. They've had some good chances during the match, but they've yet to be able to convert them. After some time with Luis Enrique, they'll have a chance to adjust for the remainder of the half.
It's Cole Palmer who opens the scoring with a slick finish following a run by Malo Gusto. Chelsea have been the better of the two teams, kicking things off, and they're rewarded for it.
PSG were through on goal but Doue tried to play it across the face of the net and Cucurella was there to intercept the chance, bailing Chelsea out. That's the best chance for an opening goal that we've seen so far.
Chelsea would've thought they scored with how close that was to ripping the back of the net. Cole Palmer got on the end of a rebound, and his volley had Donnarumma scrambling.
Chelsea's pushing possession in the early going, but it has yet to lead to a shot. They'll want one before long because you can't let PSG hang around in a game like this.
The Blues have possession early, but PSG is well poised out of the gate. It'll be a tense opening to this match as both teams can score early.
The teams have been introduced, and the trophy is here, currently with President Donald Trump, to be awarded following the match.
Despite Chelsea's form in the tournament, PSG showed to be by far the best club in the world right now and Sunday's match will prove it again. Pick: PSG 2, Chelsea 1.
Chelsea XI: Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer; Reece James, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto.
PSG XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The fireworks are underway as MetLife stadium is preparing for the kickoff of the Club World Cup final between PSG and Chelsea. The Blues will look to stop PSG from winning everything in their path but it will be quite a task as Luis Enrique has had his team setup well during the entire tournament.
