Chelsea came from behind to record a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday night.
Manuel Pellegrini's side took the lead in the ninth minute of the contest through Abde Ezzalzouli, and Real Betis were much the better side in the opening 45 minutes against a Chelsea outfit that looked short of ideas.
However, Cole Palmer came to the forefront for the Blues in the second period, setting up both Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson to score, before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo netted late on, as Enzo Maresca's side secured the Conference League trophy in style.
Chelsea have created history, becoming the first European team to triumph in all five of UEFA's major men's senior club competitions, having secured success in the Champions League, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and now the Conference League.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
It was the Palmer show in the second period, with the ex-Manchester City youngster turning up when his team needed him most, as Real Betis suffered European heartache after such a strong first-half performance.
There has been much criticism surrounding Chelsea and their head coach Maresca this term, but a major European trophy has been secured, while the team finished fourth in the Premier League table to claim a return to the Champions League.
Palmer now has five goal contributions in five finals at senior level, and he showed that he is very much the go-to man for Chelsea despite not always been at his best during the 2024-25 campaign.
In truth, it would have been a major shock if Chelsea had not won the Conference League this season considering their pedigree, but Real Betis can be proud of what they contributed in the competition this term.
Ultimately, Chelsea's power and energy saw them claim the trophy, as Real Betis had put so much into the opening 45 minutes.
Chelsea are a club that have been criticised in recent years, but the future is suddenly looking very bright for the Blues, who are planning to make some more standout signings during this summer's transfer window.
REAL BETIS VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS
Abde Ezzalzouli goal vs. Chelsea (9th min, Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea)
BETIS TAKE THE LEAD 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
Fantastic ball from Isco to Ezzalzouli, as he takes a touch and fires past Jorgensen to give Betis a one-goal lead over Chelsea!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/htNrswKVSn
Real Betis make the breakthrough in the ninth minute of the final through Ezzalzouli, with the attacker collecting a pass from Isco before firing the ball into the bottom corner - what a finish from the Morocco international.
Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Chelsea (65th min, Real Betis 1-1 Chelsea)
CHELSEA EQUALISE!!!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
What a ball from Cole Palmer 👏 he finds the run of Enzo Fernandez who deftly heads home to level the game for Chelsea! ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3rmiu287Nj
Chelsea level the scores in the 65th minute of the contest, as Fernandez heads a brilliant delivery from Palmer into the back of the net - that is a wonderful assist from the England international.
Nicolas Jackson goal vs. Real Betis (70th min, Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea)
CHELSEA LEAD! WHAT A TURNAROUND 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
Incredible play AGAIN from Cole Palmer 👏 he beats the full back and crosses from Nicolas Jackson who gets a touch on it to send it into the back of the net ⚽️
ADVANTAGE CHELSEA!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7adNCUGjlN
Chelsea take the lead in the Conference League final, and it is Palmer with another assist, with the attacker's cross converted into the back of the Real Betis net by Jackson - it appeared to come off his chest, but the striker will not mind one bit.
Jadon Sancho goal vs. Real Betis (83rd min, Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea)
TAKE A BOW JADON SANCHO 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
What a finish from the on-loan winger, as he cuts inside and fires expertly into the far corner to give Chelsea a 2-goal lead - is that the game for the Blues...? 🏆
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iNuZJpgHRM
That is game, set and match. Chelsea have won the Conference League, and it is a super goal from Sancho, who bends one into the top corner of the net after smart work from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Moises Caicedo goal vs. Real Betis (91st min, Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea)
CHELSEA ARE IN DREAMLAND! 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
A 4th for the Blues, and it's Moises Caicedo putting the cherry on the top of their performance, and bringing the Conference League trophy within touching distance with a rasping finish from the edge of the area 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/15Q3W0NTYF
Chelsea score their fourth in the first minute of added time at the end of the 90, and Caicedo gets his name on the scoresheet, smashing low into the back of the net after combining with Fernandez.
MAN OF THE MATCH - COLE PALMER
© Imago
Palmer was the difference in the second period of the match - it is as simple as that.
Real Betis did well to contain the Englishman in the first half, but his pass into Fernandez for 1-1 was sensational, before providing another assist for Jackson to score the all-important second for Chelsea, and his overall display before coming off was just brilliant.
REAL BETIS VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS
Possession: Real Betis 34%-66% Chelsea
Shots: Real Betis 13-11 Chelsea
Shots on target: Real Betis 3-7 Chelsea
Corners: Real Betis 4-4 Chelsea
Fouls: Real Betis 16-12 Chelsea
BEST STATS
0 - The oldest player in Chelsea's starting XI tonight is Marc Cucurella (26). They are only the second side to start a major UEFA final without a player aged 27+ in their XI, after Crvena zvezda v Borussia Mönchengladbach in both legs of the 1978-79 UEFA Cup final. Exuberance. pic.twitter.com/95BuxWrqUR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 28, 2025
Cole Palmer has 5 goal contributions in 5 finals at senior level.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 28, 2025
He's also scored or assisted in back-to-back European finals 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Yw1F4C00zl
2 - Cole Palmer is the first player to assist twice in the final of a major European competition since Marcelo for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League. Quickfire. pic.twitter.com/VzyQSrbbDU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 28, 2025
THE FIRST CLUB IN HISTORY TO WIN ALL THREE EUROPEAN TROPHIES!!!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 28, 2025
🏆 Champions League
🏆 Europa League
🏆 Conference League
CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RELhBEwGdo
24 - Aged 24 years and 131 days, Enzo Fernández is the second-youngest starting captain ever to lead an English club to win a major European final, only older than Bobby Moore in the 1964-65 Cup Winners' Cup for West Ham (24y 37d). Example. pic.twitter.com/T7apMbXSvM
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 28, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
It is celebration time for Chelsea, with the Blues securing the trophy, and they can look back on a successful campaign before switching their attention to the Club World Cup - their challenge will begin in the middle of June against Los Angeles FC or Club America.
Real Betis, meanwhile, can be proud of their efforts in the competition this season, and they will play Europa League football next season, having finished sixth in the La Liga table for 2024-25.
Matt Law
