Chelsea produced a masterclass to claim the FIFA Club World Cup in style, swatting aside Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 rout in New Jersey. The win not only bestowed Stamford Bridge outfit with international prestige but also served as a blood-curdling statement of intent from Enzo Maresca’s rebuilt side.
Marching to the final, Paris Saint-Germain were poised to outplay the game, particularly after annihilating Real Madrid in the semi-final. Chelsea, though, accepted the challenge in brutal brutality, sending the French champions packing with three goals in the first half.
Cole Palmer was the architect of Blues’ triumph, bagging a man-of-the-match performance that took charge of the game. He began the game with a neat finish from Malo Gusto’s pass at the rear of their defense, and doubled their lead in minutes again with a ruthless run-and-shoot finish that muted PSG’s defense. Palmer had better to give, though. His precise through-ball was replied by Joao Pedro, their new signing, who lofted the ball beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them a three goals lead.
The Parisians, eager to top their season with a quadruple after sweeping the Champions League, were left stunned. While PSG could not keep up with Chelsea’s pace and tactical application, especially on their left flank where they were pushed hard,. There were jangling nerves in the second half with a red card for Joao Neves too after VAR confirmed the protest that he had yanked Marc Cucurella’s hair, a spark which characterized PSG’s defeat.
In contrast to hedonistic half-time build-up soldiers in passage and over-tradition deserving half-time hurrahs, Chelsea remained strict and ruthless. Substitute Delap threatened to add to Chelsea’s lead by making two late attempts after forcing Donnarumma to late saves. Chelsea ‘keeper Robert Sanchez made the winning-stopping attempts to keep the clean sheet, thus keeping the Blues in charge.
It is Chelsea’s second major trophy of the season after already winning the title for the UEFA Conference League. It is accompanied by a kitty of approximately £100 million and the badge of honor of being the first club to beat the new 32-team format of the Club World Cup.
While tempers too had been flared following a clash in the dressing room, all eyes were again on Chelsea’s record-breaking display. Chelsea upped the ante with their thunderousurf celebrations as their season ended in style and signaled that they were back to the top table of football with bang.
