On Sunday, July 13, the final match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
The main event featured two European teams, Chelsea and PSG.
Many were surprised to see Chelsea reach this stage, while PSG’s presence as the reigning Champions League winners was expected. However, the match result was shocking – the first half determined the ultimate winner.
The French team started the game sluggishly, which Chelsea capitalized on under Enzo Maresca's guidance. In the 22nd minute, PSG's defense failed to handle Malo Gusto’s shot, leaving the ball for Cole Palmer, who scored with a precise shot into the far corner of Gianluigi Donnarumma's goal.
Just 8 minutes later, the English midfielder replicated his success, leaving Donnarumma helpless once again – 2:0 in favor of Chelsea.
Even after conceding two goals, Luis Enrique's team failed to respond, ending the first half trailing 0:3.
Palmer not only added a second goal but also provided an assist to Joao Pedro, who confidently lobbed the ball over Donnarumma.
Only Enrique's shouts during the break seemed to awaken the French team, who emerged for the second half determined to score quickly, but Robert Sanchez made several outstanding saves to deny them.
As time passed, PSG's chances of a comeback dwindled, and the score could have been even more lopsided if not for Donnarumma's saves against Liam Delap's attempts.
Ultimately, the hopes of the French side were dashed when Joao Neves lost his temper and pulled the hair of Marc Cucurella, resulting in a red card after a VAR review.
In the end, the referee's final whistle confirmed Chelsea's commanding 3:0 victory, marking them as the first champions of the revamped Club World Cup format.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Final, July 13
Chelsea – PSG 3:0 (3:0)
Goals: 1:0 – 22 Palmer, 2:0 – 30 Palmer, 3:0 – 43 Pedro.
Chelsea: Sanchez – Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella – James (77 Dewsberry-Hall), Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez (61 Santos), Neto (77 Nkunku) – Pedro (67 Delap).
PSG: Donnarumma – Hakimi (73 Ramush), Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz (73 Zaire-Emery) – Due (73 Mayulu), Dembele, Kvaratskhelia (58 Barkola).
Yellow Cards: Neto, Caicedo, Gusto, Colwill – Dembele, Mendes.
Red Card: 84 Neves (PSG, direct red card).
