Cole Palmer produced a scintillating first-half masterclass as Chelsea demolished Paris St Germain 3-0 to win the Club World Cup final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

The English attacking midfielder scored twice and provided an assist for Joao Pedro in a devastating display in the revamped tournament’s decider that left the European and French champions, who finished with 10 men, shell-shocked before the break.

Chelsea struck first in the 22nd minute when PSG fullback Nuno Mendes gifted possession to Malo Gusto. While his initial effort was blocked by Mendes, Gusto collected the rebound and found Palmer unmarked in the middle and the midfielder made no mistake, slotting a tidy finish just inside the left post.

Palmer doubled the lead after the 30th-minute cooling break with a goal of sublime quality. Latching onto a precise through ball from Levi Colwill, he cut inside before faking a pass to dummy a defender and firing into the bottom-left corner.

Palmer then turned provider, running up the channel before finding Joao Pedro, who took the ball in his stride and beat the offside trap before chipping his finish beautifully over keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG’s misery was completed when Joao Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair in the 83rd minute.

-Reuters

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Football’s global spotlight turns to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, US, this Sunday. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will face off in a blockbuster FIFA Club World Cup final. The match promises drama, flair, and tactical intrigue.

It’s a clash of European giants in the United States. Two clubs have elite squads and global fanbases. They have burning ambitions to be crowned the best club team on the planet.

Chelsea’s Road to the Final

The Premier League outfit has looked sharp throughout the tournament, showcasing a blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience.

Chelsea have rediscovered their edge under manager Enzo Maresca. Standout performances have come from midfield metronome Enzo Fernández. In-form winger Raheem Sterling and rising sensation Cole Palmer are also excelling.

In the semi-final, they dispatched South American champions Fluminense with clinical precision, recording a 2–0 victory that underlined their defensive organisation and attacking fluidity.

Key to Chelsea’s form has been their ability to press high, recover possession quickly, and exploit space in transition—traits that will be vital against PSG’s star-studded frontline.

PSG: The Final Frontier

For Paris Saint-Germain, the Club World Cup represents an opportunity to conquer a major title that has eluded them, even as they dominate French football.

Manager Luis Enrique has built a more balanced, team-focused PSG side, less reliant on individual brilliance and more on tactical structure.

 History Beckons

Neither club has lifted the Club World Cup before, making this a potentially historic night. Chelsea were beaten finalists in 2012, while PSG are making their debut appearance in the final. The hunger, therefore, will be palpable on both sides.

Whether it’s Chelsea’s cohesion or PSG’s explosive talent that prevails, one thing is certain—this Club World Cup final promises to be an unforgettable encounter.

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Paris St. Germain manager Luis Enrique emphasised on Friday that the key to his side’s resurgence is a collective team ethic rather than reliance on individual brilliance, as the French and European champions prepare to face Chelsea in Sunday’s Club World Cup final.

The Parisians, buoyed by their historic Champions League triumph a little over a month ago, are chasing their first Club World Cup title.

Luis Enrique has overseen a significant transformation at PSG, replacing departing stars Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe with a dynamic, youthful squad that embodies his total football philosophy.

Speaking at a press conference at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the Spaniard downplayed suggestions that he is the team’s central figure, instead crediting the players’ shared commitment to a common goal.

“I’m not a star… I like the work I do. I enjoy my career, especially during difficult times,” Luis Enrique said. “When things aren’t going well, I feel better. It’s nice when everything works out because the best thing about winning is making the people who follow us happy. I’ve been much better when I’ve been criticised than when I’ve been praised.”

Luis Enrique, who previously guided Barcelona to Champions League glory, hinted that this campaign could be among the finest of his managerial career but stressed that success would only be defined after Sunday’s final.

“Maybe this could be the best season of my coaching career. But there’s still a final to win. When we’ve won it, we’ll talk about it,” he said.

The Spaniard also highlighted the volatile nature of football, citing Manchester City’s recent struggles as a cautionary tale.

“We’ve seen Manchester City, for example. They won everything last year and then they lose 10 games and they’re crushed. Pep Guardiola is still the best coach in the world and they’re killing him. So I prefer criticism over praise because it makes you feel humble, it’s the crude reality.”

Luis Enrique reiterated his vision for a team-first approach, declaring, “We have to be a team with eleven stars, not just one or two. Not even eleven, maybe thirteen, fifteen stars… The real star should be the entire team. That’s what our club stands for. We’ll lose again soon, for sure. We want stars, but in the service of the team.”

PSG’s clash with Chelsea promises to be an enthralling encounter, with both sides vying to add a coveted international trophy to their respective honours. The Parisians will be aiming to cap off a groundbreaking year by lifting the Club World Cup for the first time in their history.

-Reuters

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