A masterclass from Cole Palmer downs PSG in New Jersey as the tournament lights up the United States
📰 Match Snapshot
Chelsea 3–0 Paris Saint-Germain
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, 13 July 2025
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, 13 July 2025
-
21′ Palmer opens scoring after a Gusto assist
-
34′ Palmer doubles the lead with a curling finish
-
40′ João Pedro taps in Palmer’s low cross
-
86′ João Neves sent off for pulling Cucurella’s hair
🌟 Palmer: From Times Square to World-Stage Superstar
Cole Palmer arrived in New Jersey on a scooter and left it hoisting the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. The 23-year-old’s two goals and one assist turned a heavyweight final into a personal highlight reel.
“He didn’t need to steal the show to prove he’s special—but he did anyway.”
— Mark Ogden, ESPN Senior Writer
Goal #1 – A razor-sharp left-foot finish from Malo Gusto’s cut-back.
Goal #2 – A trademark cut-inside, dummy, and low curler beyond Donnarumma.
Assist – A driven low ball across the six-yard box for João Pedro’s tap-in.
Goal #2 – A trademark cut-inside, dummy, and low curler beyond Donnarumma.
Assist – A driven low ball across the six-yard box for João Pedro’s tap-in.
Palmer’s “Cold” celebration—arms folded, ice in his veins—was repeated twice in front of a record 82,500 crowd. Two summers ago Manchester City accepted £40 million for a player they couldn’t guarantee minutes; today that fee looks like grand larceny.
🧩 Tactical Breakdown: How Maresca Out-foxed Luis Enrique
| Chelsea Tweaks | PSG Problems |
|---|---|
| Reece James deployed as hybrid right-back/central midfielder | Lucas Beraldo exposed without Pacho & Hernández |
| Moisés Caicedo + James shield against Kvaratskhelia & Mendes | Sloppy passing in build-up, 73 % first-half accuracy |
| Malo Gusto given licence to overlap; created first two goals | No response once down 0-2; shape crumbled |
| João Pedro as false-9; dragged Marquinhos out of position | Doué missed early sitter; heads dropped |
🔴 PSG’s Dream Tournament Ends in Nightmare 45 Minutes
Paris Saint-Germain had swept aside Bayern Munich and obliterated Real Madrid 4-0 en route to the final. Yet within 22 minutes Chelsea made the French champions look ordinary.
-
Defensive lapse: Beraldo slow to react; Palmer pounces.
-
Midfield bypassed: Vitinha & Zaire-Emery pressed into turnovers.
-
Chance conversion: Doué’s 1-v-1 saved by Sánchez; PSG never recovered.
-
Discipline: João Neves’ red card for hair-pulling summed up the frustration.
“A well-oiled machine built by Luis Enrique continuously broke down.”
— Lizzy Becherano
💰 The Money Breakdown: How Much Will Chelsea & PSG Bank?
| Revenue Stream | Chelsea | PSG |
|---|---|---|
| Sporting Performance | $85.625 m | $75.625 m |
| Participation Pillar (est.) | $25–30 m | $25–30 m |
| Total (est.) | ≈ $110–115 m | ≈ $100–105 m |
FIFA splits a $1 billion pot across 32 clubs. Exact UEFA “appearance” payouts remain opaque, but European giants are expected to land between $12.8 m and $38.2 m.
🎉 MetLife Magic: 82,500 Fans Turn New Jersey into Global Carnival
-
Attendance: 82,500 (capacity)
-
Halftime Show: Doja Cat, J Balvin & Coldplay performed on a stage built into the stands.
-
Fan Mix: Chelsea blue dominated one end; Boca, River, Brazil, and even Inter Miami shirts dotted the rest.
-
Anthem: Gala’s “Freed From Desire” echoed at full-time as every jersey danced together.
“The Club World Cup has shown genuine excitement among U.S. soccer fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.”
— Becherano
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is this the same Club World Cup as before?
No. 2025 marks the debut of the expanded 32-team format, mirroring a World Cup-style group stage and knockout rounds held entirely in the USA.
No. 2025 marks the debut of the expanded 32-team format, mirroring a World Cup-style group stage and knockout rounds held entirely in the USA.
Q2: How did Chelsea qualify?
By winning the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League (top-two coefficient clubs not already in the Champions League received spots).
By winning the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League (top-two coefficient clubs not already in the Champions League received spots).
Q3: Why was João Neves sent off?
VAR adjudged him to have deliberately pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair—violent conduct, straight red.
VAR adjudged him to have deliberately pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair—violent conduct, straight red.
Q4: Will the tournament stay in the U.S.?
FIFA has not confirmed future hosts, but the 2025 success and 2026 World Cup infrastructure make the U.S. a front-runner.
FIFA has not confirmed future hosts, but the 2025 success and 2026 World Cup infrastructure make the U.S. a front-runner.
Q5: What’s next for these teams?
-
Chelsea: Community Shield vs Man City (10 Aug) then Premier League opener.
-
PSG: Trophée des Champions vs Lille (3 Aug) before Ligue 1 kickoff.
🏆 Key Quotes
Cole Palmer: “Two years ago I wasn’t sure I’d even start for City. Now I’m a world champion. Dreams come fast—work faster.”
Enzo Maresca: “We asked Reece to be a defender, midfielder and leader in one game. He delivered. That’s Chelsea DNA.”
Luis Enrique: “We created enough to be ahead, but football punishes you when you miss. Congratulations to Chelsea; they were ruthless.”
📊 Match Stats (Opta)
| Metric | Chelsea | PSG |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 45 % | 55 % |
| Shots | 14 (8 on target) | 11 (4 on target) |
| xG | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Pass Accuracy | 82 % | 78 % |
| Fouls | 12 | 15 |
🗓 Road to the Final
Chelsea
Grp C: 2-0 vs Al-Hilal | 3-1 vs Fluminense
R16: 1-0 vs Monterrey
QF: 2-1 vs Palmeiras
SF: 3-2 vs Manchester City
Grp C: 2-0 vs Al-Hilal | 3-1 vs Fluminense
R16: 1-0 vs Monterrey
QF: 2-1 vs Palmeiras
SF: 3-2 vs Manchester City
PSG
Grp F: 2-0 vs Flamengo | 4-1 vs Urawa
R16: 3-0 vs Aston Villa
QF: 2-0 vs Bayern Munich
SF: 4-0 vs Real Madrid
Grp F: 2-0 vs Flamengo | 4-1 vs Urawa
R16: 3-0 vs Aston Villa
QF: 2-0 vs Bayern Munich
SF: 4-0 vs Real Madrid
From scooter rides in Times Square to lifting silverware under the New Jersey lights, Cole Palmer and Chelsea have delivered the first chapter of a brand-new FIFA Club World Cup—and it’s a blockbuster.