Chelsea are Club World Cup champions for the second time after a stunning 3-0 defeat of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Cole Palmer’s phenomenal first-half led the Blues to all of the game’s goals by the 43rd minute, as Palmer fired home a pair of left-footed goals before cueing up Joao Pedro for Chelsea’s third.
MORE — Player ratings for Chelsea and PSG
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was also a star for Chelsea, who saw injuries to Enzo Fernandez and Reece James in the win. PSG’s Joao Neves was sent off late for pulling the hair of Marc Cucurella, as PSG were rattled by the Blues’ upset delivery.
Manager Enzo Maresca adds victory in the first-ever expanded Club World Cup to his triumph over Real Betis in the Conference League Final to set expectations sky high at Stamford Bridge.
MORE — List of prize money for each FIFA Club World Cup team
Les Parisiens come up just short in pursuit of what could’ve been one of the very finest seasons in the sport. They won Ligue 1 by 19 points, steamrolled their way through the Coupe de France after a Round of 64 scare, beat Monaco in the Trophee des Champions, and won their first UEFA Champions League after digging out of a massive league phase hole.
And perhaps that’s what led to the boiling over of tempers beyond Neves’ red card, as PSG manager Luis Enrique put his hands on the neck of Joao Pedro after the game and goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma also had to be cooled after confrontation.
Three things we learned from Chelsea vs PSG: 1) Cole Palmer goes ‘Full Messi’
We’re unsure if Cole Palmer ever truly got the Mancunian Messi moniker, but the 23-year-old Englishman was painting masterpieces like the Inter Miami man in Sunday’s first half. Palmer hit snuck two sweet left-footed strikes inside Gianluigi Donnarumma’s right goal post with pinpoint precision, then really opened up his bag of tricks to help make it 3-0.
Palmer led a rush and used Malo Gusto’s assuming right-flank run as a distraction, slipping a well-weighted invitation through defenders for Joao Pedro to snap past Donnarumma. It was a sensational half-hour or so, and it absolutely flummoxed PSG.
2) Robert Sanchez answers his critics
There are numerous examples of why many Chelsea fans and plenty of neutrals think the Blues could do with an upgrade in goal, but Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has picked a gigantic stage to make his best case to keep the club’s No. 1 shirt.
Sanchez made a fantastic save on Desire Doue within the first six minutes to keep the match scoreless after his side’s strong first foray into the final did not deliver an opener. The 27-year-old Levante and Brighton product would have three or four moments that were nearly as important, as PSG were blanked for the first time since their shock 1-0 loss to Botafogo in their second group stage game.
3) Luis Enrique denied history, supplies embarrassment
There’s no denying Paris Saint-Germain an incredible season, as Les Parisiens had won everything on offer prior to the Club World Cup including a fantastic first UEFA Champions League triumph.
That 5-0 drubbing of Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich was so stunning, and made this decisive loss all the more spectacular. Enrique had rallied the Paris side to do what it had never done, and it felt like the side’s mix of young elite players and in-prime leaders like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, and Marquinhos was going to be enough to win every game.
Even great teams have bad days, but winning the expanded Club World Cup for the first time would’ve given PSG a claim at one of the very best seasons in history. Now it joins dozens of tremendous ‘almost’ seasons in the next tier, and it comes with a humiliating moment as Enrique put his hand to the throat of Joao Pedro in a post-match confrontation — a classless moment that further sours a bad day for the Ligue 1 powers.
How to watch Chelsea vs PSG live, Club World Cup Final stream link and start time
Dates: June 14 until July 13, 2025
How to watch: Stream every game live on DAZN, for free
Chelsea vs PSG live updates, final score: 3-0
Goal scorers: Cole Palmer, 22', 30', Joao Pedro 43'
This could be a red for PSG — Joao Neves sent off!
Joao Neves pulled the hair of a running-away Cucurella and his yellow card should be a red.
Referee Alireza Faghani is sent to the pitchside monitor and his day is over in the 86th minute.
Donnarumma denies Delap
Delap picks up the ball for the first time and drives through PSG.
His rips a shot for the upper 90 but Donnarumma flies through the air and makes a palm save.
Chelsea subs — Enzo Fernandez injured
Moments after Enzo Fernandez, who had been fighting a knock, left for Andrey Santos, we’ve got another Chelsea move.
Liam Delap replaces Joao Pedro. Chelsea lead 3-0 in the 68th minute.
Sanchez gets a finger tip
Chelsea’s goalkeeper is having a day many fans will be forced to remember despite their misgivings about the Spanish keeper.
He gets a finger to a shot, leading to a PSG corner, and Joao Pedro then makes a block at the back post.
PSG had just brought Bradley Barcola into the game for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Halftime — Chelsea 3-0 Paris Saint-Germain
It’s 3-0 and could be 5-2 but either way Chelsea’s three-goal lead somehow feels about right.
Enzo Maresca’s men have been brilliant. Reece James in the midfield with Malo Gusto and Cole Palmer either on or leaning to the right has been a key part of this 45-minute display.
PSG have had 70% of the ball but are being out-attempted 6-2 and have produced just 0.12 xG.
Sanchez saves
Joao Neves stoops to turn a cross on goal, but Sanchez gets to his post to keep the sheet clean.
A good start at a perceived Chelsea weak spot.
Joao Pedro goal — Chelsea 3-0 Paris Saint-Germain (43rd minute)
Cole Palmer is going full Messi.
The Man City export drives the center of the pitch and opts against the obvious pass to Gusto on the right.
Instead, Palmer slips Joao Pedro onto the doorstep with a delicate throughball.
Pedro buries his chance past Donnarumma.
WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
WHAT A FINISH BY JOÃO PEDRO. Its 3-0 🤯💥👀
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Blues piling up cautions
Gusto chops down a breaking attacker and Chelsea have been shown three yellow cards so far.
Gusto joins Pedro Neto and Moises Caicedo in the books.
2-0 Blues, 40'.
Cole Palmer goal — Chelsea 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain (30th minute)
Same shot!
A long, sprayed diagonal from Levi Colwill finds Palmer on the right flank.
He drives toward goal, taking space from Beraldo and rolling another left-footed shot inside the same post.
PSG, stunned.
GOAL!!! COLE PALMER AGAIN!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
SAME GOAL. SAME FINISH. @ChelseaFC leads by double now! INCEDIBLE SCENES 🤯
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Cole Palmer goal — Chelsea 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain (22nd minute)
Malo Gusto is through the goal but stumbles, allowing Lucas Beraldo the time to block his left-footed shot.
But Gusto picks up the rebound and passes it back to Cole Palmer, whose low shot takes the slightest of turns off Marquinhos en route to the back of the goal.
COLE. PALMER. STRIKES. 💥
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
CHELSEA ARE IN FRONT! 🏆🔵
Into the bottom corner like a cold-blooded finisher 🔵🔥
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PSG awaken
Achraf Hakimi slams a cross through the 18 for Desire Doue, who opts for a cutback.
It’s probably a goal if not for the read of Marc Cucurella, who gets a foot on the pass and Chelsea clear the danger.
Now Robert Sanchez has to fly to his left to save a glove-stinger from Doue.
Strong hands from Robert Sánchez.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
Brilliant stop under pressure. 💪
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Cole Palmer just misses!
Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro team up cue up a gorgeous opportunity for Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s star shoots from 19 yards and just misses the near post!
Chelsea starting very bright
Joao Pedro down the left. Cole Palmer on the right.
The Blues are after it, and PSG has already had to make 2-3 interventions to stop danger from reaching Gigi Donnarumma.
Scoreless after six promising minutes for Chelsea.
Underway!
Chelsea in blue. PSG in white.
PSG as expected
No surprises from Luis Enrique. This is Les Parisiens near their very best. Can Chelsea swing an upset?
Caicedo at what %?
Moises Caicedo is in the XI after an injury and gives the Blues a big boost and tremendous tactical versatility.
Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku are all on the bench, as is not fully fit Romeo Lavia (and, for those interested, American goalkeeper Gaga Slonina).
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez, Gusto, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Pedro
PSG lineup
Donnarumma, Mendes, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Hakimi, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele
Chelsea team news, focus
Moises Caicedo is reportedly “winning his battle” to be fit for the final following an ankle injury suffered against Fluminense. Another question is Romeo Lavia, who could be back, while Benoit Badiashile has a small chance to return. Dario Essugo won’t be available to Maresca, who is also without long-term absentee Wesley Fofana.
Paris Saint-Germain team news, focus
Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were sent off in the quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich and will serve the second games of their suspensions on Sunday.
Chelsea’s Club World Cup path
Group stage: Chelsea 2-0 LAFC — Video highlights & recap
Group stage: Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea — Video highlights & recap
Group stage: Esperance de Tunis 0-3 Chelsea — Video highlights & recap
Last 16: Benfica 1-4 (aet) Chelsea — Recap, video highlights
Quarterfinal: Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea — Recap, highlights
Semifinal: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea — Recap, highlights
PSG’s Club World Cup path
Group stage: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Group stage: Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Botafogo
Group stage: Seattle Sounders 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Last 16: PSG 4-0 Inter Miami — Recap, video highlights
Quarterfinal: PSG 2-0 Bayern Munich — Recap, highlights
Semifinal: PSG 4-0 Real Madrid — Recap, highlights
Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain prediction
The firepower is there for Chelsea to score but can they limit PSG? The back line is fine but not spectacular, so Maresca’s Blues will have to win a tremendous midfield battle. They can, but will it come at the expense of freedom for their front four? The final should be a fascinating watch, yet it’s so difficult to pick against a PSG side who blanked Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. We will edge right up to that line without crossing it. Chelsea 2-2 (3-4 pens) Paris Saint-Germain