In one of the best performances yet under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea blew the recently crowned UEFA Champions League winners away with a stunning performance at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

An exhilarating opening 45 minutes of football by Chelsea left Paris Saint-Germain in shock and the Blues supporters in the USA in dreamland, as we led 3-0 at the break.

Palmer had already warned PSG by going agonisingly close before striking twice with almost identical finishes placed into the bottom-left corner, first after good running by Gusto and the second with a lovely piece of skill to make space on the edge of the box.

Cole then turned provider to tee up Joao Pedro for his third goal in two starts for Chelsea at this tournament, showing great composure himself to lift the ball over the keeper.

We held firm to deny Paris any chance of a fightback in the second half, with their chances already slipping away even before a straight red card for Joao Neves a few minutes from the end. As it was, our incredible first-half performance had earned us the title of world champions.

The Selection

Enzo Maresca made two changes to his team for the final. Robert Sanchez continued in goal, with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella filling the full-back roles ahead of him again. Trevoh Chalobah was partnered in defence by Levi Colwill, with the latter returning in place of Tosin Adarabioyo after serving a suspension in the semi-finals.

Reece James returned to captain the side, replacing Christopher Nkunku in the other change from the win over Fluminense. That meant a more advanced role for Enzo Fernandez, ahead of Moises Caicedo. In attack, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer retained their spots on the wings, either side of striker Joao Pedro, after the Brazilian netted twice last time out.

The size of the occasion was clear well before the kick-off at the MetLife Stadium, with tournament hosts the USA once again showing they know how to put on a show. The build-up to the game was filled with spectacular entertainment on the pitch, England being represented by Robbie Williams, as well as all the fireworks we have come to expect at this competition.

Soon it was time for the main event, though. After one month of football, 32 teams had been whittled down to just two, and both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain showed right from the off they were determined to be the last side standing.

Strong start

As the designated home team, Chelsea were in our famous Blue shirts, while PSG were in their all-white change colours. A lovely touch by Palmer before combining with James and Joao Pedro meant it was the Blues who threatened first. Gianluigi Donnarumma was able claim Palmer’s resulting cross, but it had set the tone, and we were the team starting the match on the front foot.

Our high pressing seemed to cause PSG problems early on, as they looked uncomfortable when playing out from the back, although Neto had to do well to snuff out a long ball and prevent Desire Doue getting free on the counter.

Most of the stadium thought Chelsea had taken the lead inside the first 10 minutes, and Palmer couldn’t have come much closer. A fine move involving several players culminated in a clever flick from Joao Pedro, teeing up Cole just inside the box. He tried to curl into the top corner, but his effort swung just the wrong side of the post and swept around the outside of the net.

The French side began to even things out a bit more in terms of possession as the first half drew on, while Achraf Hakimi was starting to look like a potential source of danger marauding forward from right-back, this was a very promising opening from Chelsea.

PSG were now showing why they have been so successful over the last year. Cucurella had to produce a brilliant piece of defending to prevent what looked a certain goal, as Doue arrived at the back post and tried to find a team-mate for a tap in. Then Sanchez got down low to save from Doue again.

The man for the big occasion

When the piece of composure arrived that would give this final it’s first goal, it came from a player wearing Blue. Who else to stay cool in the heat and pressure but Palmer.

It was Gusto who was initially released on the right as we looked more and more towards quick attacks, particularly down that flank. The full-back charged into the box and turned inside looking for a sight of goal. His shot was blocked at close range, but the ball found its way to Cole, and this time he found his spot.

Steadying himself for a second, our No10 rolled a perfect finish into the bottom-left corner, from an almost identical position to his narrow miss earlier. Donnarumma had no chance and Chelsea were 1-0 up in the Club World Cup final.

Before long Cole had done it again, as PSG struggled to work out how to deal with Palmer’s skill and movement. This time he was found in the right channel by a fine raking pass from Colwill, before displaying all his talent.

As he carried the ball across the edge of the box, he used the runs of Gusto and Joao Pedro to distract his marker Lucas Beraldo, sold the defender with a deft dummy to give himself space, then sent an almost identical finish in the same bottom-left corner.

Incredible first-half performance

That made Palmer the first player ever to have scored twice in a single half against Luis Enrique’s PSG. But he wasn’t finished there, as our first half continued to get better and better. Cole was key again, carrying the ball forward into space as the wary French defenders backed off fearing the shot.

Instead, Palmer picked out the run of Joao Pedro with a perfectly weighted through-ball, releasing the striker in the box. The Brazilian’s finish was just as good, nervelessly lifting a cheeky chip over the onrushing Donnarumma and high into the net.

Paris tried to hit back, but the best they could manage before half-time was a couple of crosses. Sanchez ended that threat first by flying out to punch clear, then saving a weak header comfortably. At half-time, the scoreline read 3-0 to the Blues!

Holding firm

Knowing they had a mountain to climb to get back into the game, PSG pushed forward and tested us early in the second half, but initially at least Sanchez proved to be equal to their efforts. One reaction save down low to deny Ousmane Dembele from close range was particularly impressive.

We were dropping deeper in a way we hadn’t since the scoreline had been blank, and Sanchez was at full stretch to keep out another low drive, this time from outside the box. But we were still exercising a measure of control, happily inviting PSG forward, with Palmer and Joao Pedro poised to launch the counter.

The warm conditions and long campaign were starting to take their toll on the Chelsea players, with Fernandez forced off after receiving some rough treatment from our opponents, and Joao Pedro also beginning to struggle physically after an excellent shift up front. They were soon replaced by Andrey Santos and Liam Delap.

The latter nearly made an instant impact, forcing a good save from Donnarumma with an effort from range with the striker's first involvement. Delap then went one-on-one as he continued to look to add his name to the scoresheet, but he was coming in from wide at a tight angle and couldn't find a way past the keeper.

It was all working in Chelsea's favour, though, as the clock continued to run down and we edged towards the final whistle with our healthy three-goal lead still intact. Our chances of seeing things out were given another boost when Paris were reduced to 10 men.

Joao Neves was initially booked, but VAR advised the referee to go to the pitchside monitor and it was clear he had pulled Cucurella back by his hair. A straight red card was issued and we were now just a few minutes away.

They slowly ticked away but, finally, the full-time whistle came and it was time for the Blues to celebrate, after a masterclass in how to nullify and counter the team many had labelled as the best in the world going into this final. That is now a title which officially belongs to the Blues.

What it means

Chelsea are officially champions of the world! As well as adding a brand new trophy to our cabinet, further proof that we really have won it all, we are now entitled to wear a special FIFA Club World Cup winners badge on our shirts until the next tournament in 2029.

What is next

The players will now take a short well earned break following the very longest of campaigns, before returning in time to prepare for a pair of pre-season friendlies at Stamford Bridge, against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday 8 August and AC Milan on Sunday 10 August.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; James (c) (Dewsbury-Hall 78), Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez (Santos 61), Neto (Nkunku 78); Joao Pedro (Delap 68)
Unused subs: Jorgensen, Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, Anselmino, Sarr, Tosin, Lavia, George, Guiu, Jackson
Scorer: Palmer 22, 30, Joao Pedro 43
Booked: Neto 34, Caicedo 36, Gusto 41, Colwill 82

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma, Hakimi (Ramos 73), Marquinhos (c), Berlado, Mendes, Ruiz (Zaire-Emery 73), Vitinha, Neves, Doue (Mayulu 73), Dembele, Kvaratskhelia (Barcola 59)
Unused subs: Safanov, Tenas, Kamara, Kimpembe, Lee, Moscardo, Mbaye
Booked: Dembele 87, Mendes 90+4
Sent off: Neves 86

Referee: Alireza Faghani

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