In a stunning upset at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, Chelsea FC defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match, which drew an announced crowd of 81,118 fans including U.S. President Donald Trump, showcased a dominant Chelsea side that outplayed the reigning European champions and Champions League winners, PSG.
Chelsea's triumph marks their second Club World Cup title, having first won the tournament in 2021. The Blues' path to glory was spearheaded by a sensational performance from Cole Palmer, who scored two goals in the opening half, and summer signing Joao Pedro, who netted his third goal of the tournament to seal the victory. Palmer's clinical finishing ended PSG's remarkable streak of 436 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.
Despite PSG's historic season — which included winning Ligue 1 for the 13th time, the Coupe de France, the Trophee des Champions, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan — Chelsea proved resilient and tactically superior on the day. PSG, coached by Luis Enrique, who transformed the team following the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid in 2024, entered the final as heavy favorites, boasting a recent run of dominant wins including a 4-0 semifinal victory over Real Madrid and a 2-0 quarterfinal win against Bayern Munich.
The match began with Chelsea aggressively pressing, quickly exploiting spaces in midfield and on the flanks, a strategy highlighted by coach Enzo Maresca post-match. Maresca explained, "We thought we had a good opportunity to exploit the space (in midfield). We used Cole (Palmer) and Malo (Gusto) to create an overload in that area. It was just the game plan and we try to get the players in positions where they can do everything. It worked quite well." Despite not scoring until the 22nd minute, Maresca confidently stated, "I have no words for the players. For me, we won the game in the first ten minutes. We set the tempo, we knew the way we wanted to play." Chelsea's relentless pressure resulted in three shots on goal, all finding the net.
Joao Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton just 11 days before the final, has had an incredible start at his new club. His goal in the final was a chipped finish over PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, showcasing his composure under pressure. Cole Palmer, known for rising to big occasions, has now been involved in six goals across his last three finals, including two goals and an assist in this match. Palmer himself admitted feeling "a bit confused" when President Trump unexpectedly stayed on stage during Chelsea's trophy celebration.
The final was not without controversy. After the final whistle, a skirmish broke out on the pitch involving players from both teams. PSG coach Luis Enrique, speaking in Spanish to express himself clearly, condemned the incident, stating, "My goal and intention, as always, is to try to separate the players so that there are no more problems. Avoidable situation. There is a lot of tension, a lot, a lot of pressure." However, video footage showed Enrique appearing to make contact with Joao Pedro's face during the melee. Additionally, PSG defender Nuno Mendes received a red card for pulling Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella’s hair off the ball in a retaliatory move, further fueling tensions.
Despite the loss, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised his team’s achievements, calling the 2024-2025 season "the greatest season in the history of PSG." He highlighted their five finals appearances and four trophies won, emphasizing, "We are humble in victory and humble in defeat. I don't think one match changes that. I am just so proud of everyone. It’s just the beginning of something special for us." Luis Enrique echoed this sentiment, asserting, "Loser? No. There are no losers here. A runner-up is very different. Losers in life are those who give up, losers are those who do not get up. Here in high-level sport, there are no losers."
The match was broadcast live on DAZN, available worldwide for free streaming with no subscription required, and on TBS in English. The event also featured a significant security presence, including the Secret Service, TSA, New Jersey State Police, and K-9 units, ensuring fan safety at this high-profile international event.
President Donald Trump, who attended the final, was met with boos from the crowd during the postgame ceremony as he joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino on stage. Trump handed out several awards, including the young player of the tournament to Désiré Doué, the Golden Glove to Robert Sanchez, and the Golden Ball for MVP to Cole Palmer. Trump later revealed to DAZN that FIFA allowed him to keep a version of the Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, noting, "They said 'Could you hold this trophy for a little while?' We put it in the Oval Office and then I said 'When are you going to pick up the trophy?' and they said 'We're never going to pick it up, you can have it forever in the Oval Office and we'll make a new one.'"
Chelsea captain Reece James, who unfortunately suffered an ankle injury during the match and was replaced by Pedro Neto, expressed confidence before the game despite PSG being favorites: "I don't really care, to be honest. Everyone is bigging up our opposition. We're preparing right, and we're going to win." His words proved prophetic as Chelsea maintained control throughout.
This victory continues Chelsea's remarkable record in finals over the past decade, having won all seven international finals they have contested since 2013, including the 2025 UEFA Conference League final earlier this year where they defeated Real Betis 4-1.
The $40 million prize money for winning the Club World Cup adds to Chelsea’s growing trophy haul, while PSG takes home $30 million as runners-up from the tournament's $1 billion prize pool. The Club World Cup has been hailed as a success, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino noting nearly 2.5 million fans attended matches from 168 countries and the tournament generating approximately $2.1 billion in revenue.
As both teams look ahead, questions remain about how this tournament's physical and mental demands will affect their preparations for the upcoming domestic seasons. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will also culminate at MetLife Stadium, setting the stage for another historic event in this venue.
For now, Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 win over PSG signals a shift in the global club football landscape, as the Blues claim their place atop the world stage and demonstrate that with the right blend of talent, tactics, and determination, even the mightiest favorites can be toppled.
