Cole Palmer produced a sensational display to inspire Chelsea to a commanding 3-0 victory over reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 22-year-old English forward was simply unplayable on the night, dazzling the crowd with two beautifully taken goals and an exquisite assist, all before the halftime whistle. Thanks to his heroics, the Blues secured their second major trophy of the 2024/25 campaign and underlined their status as a rising force in world football.
Despite facing a PSG side loaded with attacking talent and boasting an unbeaten run through Europe, Palmer's early impact completely deflated Luis Enrique’s team. Under the intense summer heat, Chelsea dominated from the first whistle, playing with energy and precision that left their French opponents chasing shadows.
Palmer broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, showing superb composure to collect a pass inside the box and send a powerful left-footed strike beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. The goal sent Chelsea fans into a frenzy and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Just eight minutes later, Palmer struck again to double the advantage. After receiving a long diagonal ball from Trevoh Chalobah, he expertly brought it down, shifted his body to leave Lucas Beraldo helpless on the ground, and calmly finished into the far corner. His sharp movement and clinical finishing highlighted his growth into one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents.
Before the break, Palmer turned creator with a moment of pure class. Spotting Joao Pedro’s run behind the PSG defense, Palmer lofted a delicate, perfectly weighted chip that fell straight into the path of the Brazilian forward, who made no mistake in smashing home Chelsea’s third goal of the evening.
Throughout the match, Chelsea looked confident and organized, with manager Enzo Maresca’s tactical plan executed flawlessly. The Blues showed the same killer instinct that saw them sweep aside Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals, proving their dominance on the world stage and putting PSG to the sword in emphatic fashion.
This emphatic victory further cemented Chelsea's resurgence under Maresca, giving fans renewed hope and signaling the arrival of Palmer as a genuine superstar. The young winger was deservedly named man of the match and now looks set to become a central figure for both Chelsea and England moving forward.