Chelsea FC will face Real Betis in the final of the UEFA Conference League after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Swedish side Djurgarden, sealing a commanding 5-1 aggregate win in their semi-final tie on May 9, 2025. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge, marking a significant milestone as 16-year-old Reggie Walsh became the youngest player to start a European game for Chelsea.
The Blues are looking to make history by becoming the first club to win all three of UEFA's current competitions if they can overcome Betis in Wroclaw on May 28. "Very happy, the job is done tonight and now we have almost 20 days to prepare for this final and hopefully we can win this trophy," Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca said after the match.
It has been a challenging period for Chelsea, who have not lifted a major trophy since their triumph in the 2021 Champions League. However, team captain Reece James expressed optimism about the club's direction. "We're in another final but it is probably something we expected coming into the game and we expect to win the competition as well. Winning the trophy would be a huge achievement," James stated. "We are definitely moving in the right direction. We're knocking on the door for Champions League next season, the table is tight and I have no doubts. We had a good result against Liverpool and hopefully we can keep momentum going and finish the season strongly."
In the semi-final, defender Marc Cucurella was the only player retained from the team that triumphed over Premier League champions Liverpool, as Maresca opted for a rotated squad in preparation for a crucial game against Newcastle this Sunday. Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George were instrumental in Chelsea's dominance, forcing saves from Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne early in the match.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Dewsbury-Hall scored after a neat assist from George, who threaded a pass through for the midfielder. Dewsbury-Hall showcased his pace and skill, accelerating past a couple of defenders before slotting in a crisp finish off the base of the post. This goal effectively extinguished any hopes for Djurgarden, who were the first Swedish club to reach a European semi-final since Gothenburg's UEFA Cup victory in 1986-87.
Despite Chelsea's control, Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to double his tally but headed Malo Gusto's cross straight at Rinne. Djurgarden's only significant threat came from a long-range shot by Daniel Stensson, which was tipped over by Chelsea's Filip Jorgensen. The match concluded with Chelsea firmly in control, setting the stage for their upcoming final.
Real Betis, on the other hand, reached their first European final after a thrilling two-leg semi-final against Fiorentina, winning 4-3 on aggregate. The tie was marked by a dramatic second leg that ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time. USMNT's Johnny Cardoso played a vital role, starting both matches and contributing to Betis's success.
In the second leg, Betis took the lead with a stunning free-kick from Manchester United loanee Antony in the 30th minute. Fiorentina responded quickly, with Robin Gosens scoring two headers from corners to level the aggregate score at 3-3. However, it was Abdessamad Ezzalzouli who became the hero for Betis, scoring the decisive goal in extra time to secure their place in the final.
After the match, Isco, the captain of Real Betis, reflected on the team's performance: "It was a very tough game, especially because I feel we didn't make the most of all the chances we created. We suffered a lot against a great opponent and in extra time we scored the goal that took us to the final, so I can only be happy."
Betis's victory is historic as they become the first Spanish team to reach the UEFA Conference League final. They have been on a remarkable run, remaining unbeaten in their last nine away matches across all competitions, with seven wins and two draws. Their performance in the Conference League has been impressive, with only one loss in their last ten matches.
As Chelsea prepares for the final, they will be strong favorites against Betis, looking to secure their first silverware since Todd Boehly's consortium took over from Roman Abramovich three years ago. The final promises to be an exciting clash between two teams eager to make their mark in European football.
With the stage set for an epic showdown in Wroclaw, fans from both clubs are eagerly awaiting what could be a historic night for either Chelsea or Real Betis. The countdown to May 28 has begun, and the anticipation is palpable as both teams look to etch their names into UEFA history.
