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Chelsea’s Aggression Overwhelms PSG: Maresca’s Tactical Brilliance Wins Club World Cup Final

Prime Highlights

  • Chelsea beat PSG 3–0 to be crowned the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup champions.
  • Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was the star grafter with two goals and one assist in a masterclass first-half performance.

Key Facts

  • Chelsea won the 2025 Club World Cup for the fourth time and took home a $125 million prize pool.
  • PSG’s Joao Neves was also sent off late, and shoving on both benches ensued.

Key Background

Chelsea demonstrated superb football in defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Chelsea was coached by head coach Enzo Maresca and adopted a high-pressuring strategy that made possession football of PSG irrelevant. Chelsea’s second Club World Cup and an impressive victory for a team that gained entry to the tournament via the UEFA Conference League.

From the first whistle, Maresca’s tactic was being put on full display. They high-pressed and harassed PSG to the point where they were committing errors deep in their half of the field. High-pressing was eventually richly rewarded early on when Cole Palmer found the back of the net twice in rapid succession and provided the third goal by Joao Pedro in the first half. Palmer’s display saw him win the Player of the Tournament award and vindicated Maresca’s faith in his men.

Despite 66% possession, PSG were unable to find a single through sortie on target. Their lethal frontline quartet of free-scoring players, their best and by far away Chelsea’s best asset, was broken by Chelsea pressure-positioning mid three and deep defence quartet. Robert Sánchez had little to trouble him in goal, the result of defensive organization into which he had been placed by Maresca.

Fists were clenched at the end whistle after PSG midfielder Joao Neves was given a straight red for violent conduct. While tension was at an all-time high, no post-match brawl broke out, apparently in revenge for PSG boss Luis Enrique goading Chelsea’s Joao Pedro. Maresca was present to soothe frayed nerves, once again demonstrating that he is not just a tactician, but also a leader.

This mauling win places Enzo Maresca level as one of the world’s greatest managers. His high-pressing and pressuring brand of football was too much for reigning European champions PSG. This Club World Cup win is a win and also indicates that Chelsea can challenge for even greater success next year. Chelsea has a very well-drilled young squad and a manager who will not be intimidated to meet strong aggressive tactics head-on. Chelsea has a beautiful future in football globally.