CHELSEA BEAT PSG TO WIN CLUB WORLD CUP

By: Gyang Dakwo

Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 on Sunday to win the final of the first expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

The match was played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and it drew a tournament-high crowd of 81,188 fans. United States President Donald Trump was also present, as he watched the action from the stands.

Chelsea took control early in the match, and they scored all three goals in the first half. Cole Palmer was the standout player, as he scored twice and assisted the third goal.

Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when he struck a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area. He doubled the lead in the 30th minute with a nearly identical finish, and his calm composure helped Chelsea grow in confidence.

In the 43rd minute, Palmer played a smart through pass to João Pedro, who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 3-0. It was João Pedro’s third goal in just two starts for Chelsea, and it ended a brilliant half for the Blues.

Palmer, who is 23 years old, joined Chelsea from Manchester City two years ago, and he has now scored 18 goals this season. His development has been one of the bright spots in Chelsea’s campaign.

PSG came into the match as favourites, since they had outscored their opponents 16-1 in the tournament. They had already won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and their first UEFA Champions League title, so they were aiming to complete a quadruple.

However, Chelsea looked fresher and more energetic, as they had enjoyed an extra day of rest after their semi-final. Their sharp passing and quick movement made it difficult for PSG to respond.

Things got worse for PSG in the 84th minute when João Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella by the hair. This moment summed up PSG’s frustration, and it left them with ten men in the final minutes.

The closing stages of the game were tense, because there were six yellow cards and several fouls. After the final whistle, tempers flared when PSG coach Luis Enrique and goalkeeper Donnarumma pushed João Pedro near the centre circle, and both teams had to be separated.

Chelsea’s victory gave them their second FIFA Club World Cup title, and it added to their UEFA Conference League win earlier in the season. The result confirmed their strong finish to the campaign, and it marked a proud night for manager Enzo Maresca.

It was a brilliant team performance from Chelsea, but it was Cole Palmer’s goals and assist that made the biggest difference. He showed skill, maturity, and confidence, and his display helped Chelsea prove they belong among the best clubs in the world.