Cole Palmer cemented his meteoric rise with a dazzling display as Chelsea stunned European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to lift the FIFA Club World Cup in a feisty final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Luis Enrique’s side, fresh from sweeping a historic treble, were expected to add a world title to their cabinet—but were instead left chasing shadows as Palmer ran the show in a jaw-dropping first half.
The 22-year-old England star scored twice in clinical fashion, both low finishes from the edge of the box, and turned provider just before the break with a slick assist for Joao Pedro, who nonchalantly chipped Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal the game before the interval.
Palmer could have opened his account as early as the eighth minute with a trademark curler that kissed the stanchion, while Robert Sanchez kept Chelsea in front with a string of superb second-half saves, notably denying Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.
Tempers flared late on as PSG’s frustration boiled over. Joao Neves was shown a red card following a VAR review for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair, and chaos erupted at the final whistle when Luis Enrique appeared to lash out at Pedro before Donnarumma shoved the Chelsea forward to the turf.
The bizarre scenes followed a glittering halftime show featuring U.S. President Donald Trump and British rock band Coldplay—but it was Palmer and Chelsea who delivered the real fireworks.
From Manchester City cast-off to Club World Cup hero, Palmer now has silverware to match his talent—and Chelsea have a new talisman for the future.
For PSG, it was a night of missed chances, lost discipline and a sobering reminder that world dominance remains elusive.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are kings of the world.
