In a stunning upset at the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, July 13, 2025, Chelsea triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a commanding 3-0 victory at New York’s MetLife Stadium. The Premier League side, widely regarded as underdogs, defied expectations in front of over 81,000 fans, many of whom were firmly in Chelsea’s corner. The match not only showcased Chelsea’s tactical brilliance and clinical finishing but also ended in a heated post-match altercation involving players and coaching staff from both teams.
Chelsea’s star midfielder Cole Palmer was the standout performer of the night. The young Englishman dazzled throughout the first half, scoring two exquisite goals and setting up a third for Brazilian forward João Pedro. Palmer’s first goal came in the 22nd minute when he expertly placed a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, following a blocked attempt from teammate Malo Gusto. Just eight minutes later, Palmer doubled his tally with another composed finish after cutting inside from the right flank, capitalizing on a long ball from Levi Colwill. Before the halftime whistle, Palmer’s vision shone again as he assisted Pedro, who calmly lifted the ball over PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal the first-half scoring.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was equally instrumental in Chelsea’s triumph. The Spaniard made several key saves, including a reflex stop from Ousmane Dembélé and a crucial clearance from Desire Doue’s shot early in the game. Sanchez’s composure under pressure helped maintain Chelsea’s clean sheet against a PSG side that had been dominant in the tournament, having dispatched top European clubs such as Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.
PSG, the reigning European and French league champions, entered the final as favorites but struggled to find rhythm against Chelsea’s high-intensity pressing and clinical finishing. The match was physical and tense from the outset, with PSG’s João Neves receiving a red card in the 85th minute for pulling the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in a retaliatory act. This dismissal further compounded PSG’s frustrations as the clock wound down.
The atmosphere at MetLife Stadium was electric, with pre-match festivities including a performance by Robbie Williams and a US Air Force flyover, though these caused a delay to kickoff. At halftime, pop star Doja Cat entertained the crowd, adding to the spectacle of the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup tournament. Even US President Donald Trump was in attendance, remarking during a halftime interview that he was “having a really great time,” reflecting the event’s high-profile status.
However, the post-match celebrations were marred by a volatile confrontation between the teams. Immediately after the final whistle, a scrum erupted involving players and staff from both sides. The situation escalated when PSG coach Luis Enrique pushed Chelsea’s João Pedro, causing the Brazilian forward to fall to the ground. This act ignited a shoving match that drew in several players, including PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who appeared to shove Pedro as well. Donnarumma was quickly pulled away by team staff in an attempt to defuse the tension.
Speaking after the match, Luis Enrique expressed regret over the incident, saying, “This was completely avoidable. My goal and my objective is always to separate footballers from greater problems. There was a lot of tension. I was trying to avoid any tension. I have no problem about expressing my feelings at the end of a game. I want to make it possible that my footballers don’t go to those extremes. This could have been avoided.” He added, “We had to separate all of the footballers. I do not know where the [tension] came from. This is something we must all avoid.”
Enrique’s attempt to downplay the incident continued at a press conference, where he acknowledged the pressure and tension within the PSG squad. “At the end of the match, there was a situation that I believe could have been avoided by everyone,” he said. “My objective and my intention, as always, is to try to win over the players so that there are no more problems. Internally, there is a lot of tension, a lot of pressure.”
The altercation also saw Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca involved in a heated exchange with Luis Enrique and Donnarumma. The exact cause of the argument remains unclear, but the intensity of the moment underscored the fierce rivalry and high stakes of the match.
This final marked the first meeting between Chelsea and PSG since 2016, despite having faced each other ten times previously across all competitions. The emphatic nature of Chelsea’s victory sent shockwaves through the football world, especially given PSG’s formidable form leading up to the final. Their path to the final had included dominant performances against some of Europe’s elite, making Chelsea’s triumph all the more remarkable.
Beyond the scoreline and drama, Chelsea’s victory earned them a significant financial windfall, reportedly exceeding £90 million, as the inaugural champions of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup format. The tournament’s success, bolstered by the thrilling final and star-studded entertainment, signals a new era for club football on the global stage.
As the dust settles on this memorable final, questions remain about the lasting impact of the post-match scuffle and the disciplinary actions that may follow. For now, Chelsea’s players and fans can savor a historic victory that defied expectations and showcased emerging talents like Cole Palmer and João Pedro on the world stage.
