Chelsea FC delivered a stunning performance at the Club World Cup final, defeating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3-0 at MetLife Stadium on March 17, 2024. The standout player was Cole Palmer, who scored twice and provided an assist, leading Chelsea to secure their second Club World Cup title. The English attacking midfielder’s dazzling display left the French and European champions reeling.
In front of a capacity crowd in New Jersey, Chelsea took control early in the match. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when PSG defender Nuno Mendes mishandled the ball, allowing Malo Gusto to capitalize. After recovering from a blocked shot, Gusto found Palmer positioned perfectly. The midfielder calmly slotted the ball just inside the left post, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead.
Chelsea continued to press their advantage after the cooling break, and Palmer struck again in the 30th minute with a goal of exceptional quality. He skillfully collected a precise through ball from Levi Colwill, cut inside, deceived a defender with a fake pass, and fired into the bottom left corner of the net.
Palmer’s influence on the game did not stop there. He turned provider shortly after, sprinting down the wing before delivering a perfectly timed pass to João Pedro. The Brazilian forward skillfully evaded the offside trap and delicately chipped the ball over PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, extending Chelsea’s lead to 3-0.
The match took a contentious turn when Joao Neves received a red card in the 83rd minute for pulling the hair of Marc Cucurella. As the final whistle blew, tensions flared on the pitch, with players clashing in frustration.
After the match, Palmer expressed his joy, stating, “It’s a great feeling. Even better because everyone doubted us before the game, we knew that. To put up a fight like we did, it’s good. The gaffer put a great game plan out.” Recognized for his outstanding performance, Palmer was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, further solidifying his reputation in high-stakes matches. “I like finals. It’s happened again,” he added.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca executed a tactical game plan that effectively countered PSG’s strategy, a notable achievement against their coach Luis Enrique. Maresca’s team employed a relentless high press, reminiscent of tactics used by Botafogo, who had previously defeated PSG in the group stage.
PSG captain Marquinhos acknowledged Chelsea’s effectiveness, stating, “Chelsea were more effective than us; they worked well on our slight weakness. Tactically, they caused us problems in the first half, and we took a while to react.”
This victory marks Chelsea’s second title in the Club World Cup, having previously triumphed in 2021. The team arrived in the United States following a successful campaign, where they won the European third-tier Conference League and finished fourth in the Premier League. As the Blues celebrate this significant achievement, the future looks promising for the club and its rising stars like Cole Palmer.
