
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The extra-long 2024/25 club football season concluded in stunning fashion as Premier League side Chelsea shocked Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain with a deserved 3-0 triumph in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Cole Palmer scored the first two goals in nearly identical fashion and new signing Joao Pedro added a third before halftime.
Few saw this result coming, given how PSG have steamrolled over nearly every opponent across the 2025 calendar year, including a thorough beatdown of Real Madrid in the semifinals.
MORE: Chelsea vs. PSG head-to-head record all-time
Chelsea, however, were by far the better team throughout the match, as they counter-attacked with ferocity. Palmer bested Vitinha on multiple occasions, while Malo Gusto was exceptional against the uncharacteristically poor Nuno Mendes. Rubbing salt in the wound, Joao Neves was sent off for stupidly pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair with five minutes to go, sealing PSG’s fate.
With the Club World Cup expanded to 32 teams and moving to once every four years, this victory for Chelsea not only banks them an extra $10 million of prize money, but is also a monumental achievement for the Blues who seize on an opportunity that may only come around once in a career.
PSG tempers boiled over after the match, when head coach Luis Enrique and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma were each involved in a flashpoint with Joao Pedro.
Enzo Maresca restrained his Chelsea players in animated fashion but, when the dust settles, he can reflect upon a perfectly executed success, with the hope it will springboard a more successful 2025/26 in the Premier League.
The Sporting News followed the Chelsea vs. PSG match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
JUMP TO: Latest live updates | Full match stats | Team news and lineups
Chelsea vs. PSG final score
Score | Goal scorers | |
Chelsea | 3 | Palmer (22′, 30′), J. Pedro (43′) |
PSG | 0 | – |
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Referee: Alireza Faghani
Starting lineups:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Sanchez (GK) — 27. Gusto, 23. Chalobah, 6. Colwill, 3. Cucurella — 24. James (Dewsbury-Hall, 78′), 25. Caicedo — 7. Neto (Nkunku, 78′), 8. E. Fernandez (Santos, 61′), 10. Palmer — 20. Joao Pedro (Delap, 68′).
PSG (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Donnarumma (GK) — 2. Hakimi (Ramos, 73′), 5. Marquinhos, 4. Beraldo, 25. Mendes — 17. Vitinha, 87. Neves (red card, 85′), 8. F. Ruiz (Zaire-Emery, 73′) — 14. Doue (Mayulu, 73′), 10. Dembele, 7. Kvaratskhelia (Barcola, 59′).
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Chelsea vs PSG stats
Chelsea | Stat | PSG |
10 | Shots | 8 |
5 | Shots on target | 6 |
Expected goals | ||
33% | Possession | 67% |
301 | Passes | 599 |
3 | Corners | 5 |
15 | Fouls | 12 |
4 | Yellow cards | 2 |
3 | Offsides | 2 |
Chelsea vs. PSG live updates, highlights from Club World Cup final
FULL TIME: Chelsea 3-0 PSG
CHELSEA WIN THE CLUB WORLD CUP!!!!
FIFA’s much-trumpeted bid to crown the best club in the world ends with a team that last won their domestic title in 2017 taking home the trophy! While it’s easy to be churlish, Chelsea were superb today and beat PSG at their own game with a display of tireless pressing and incisive running in attack. Cole Palmer was the star of the show with two goals, and it won’t have escaped the notice of England fans that the World Cup final takes place in this very stadium 12 months from now…
90+3 min: With five minutes of added time shown, Nuno Mendes picks up a frustration yellow card for hacking Christopher Nkunku out wide. PSG have completely fallen apart here, mentally and physically.
Neves doesn’t even argue whatsoever, instead he books it over the end line and down the tunnel! Just like that, he signs off from the Club World Cup!
82nd min: There’s a scuffle in midfield as Ousmane Dembele fouls Levi Colwill and is immediately booked by the referee who senses the tension, and ultimately things fizzle out without much else of note.
80th min: Chance, Chelsea! Liam Delap has a huge opportunity to seal the victory as he remains on the ball through a Lucas Beraldo challenge, but after rounding the defender and cutting inside the charging goalkeeper, he finishes wide! What a miss!
74th min: Luis Enrique makes a surprising change down 3-0 as he yanks Achraf Hakimi and places Warren Zaire-Emery at right-back. He also brings Goncalo Ramos on for Desire Doue, and Senny Mayulu for Fabian Ruiz.
Enzo Maresca counters shortly after with the introduction of Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to replace Pedro Neto and Reece James. Moises Caicedo takes the captain’s armband.
68th min: Chance, Chelsea! WHAT A SAVE BY GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA! Liam Delap’s first action off the bench is to split two PSG defenders on the counter, and he works space for a right-footed shot which forces Donnarumma to come flying up to his left to get a fingertip to the ball! An acrobatic stop!
That brigs us to a hydration break, and Reece James is the next player to need some help to his feet.
WHAT A SAVE!
Delap’s shot beaten away by Donnarumma’s brilliance. Save of the tournament?🔥Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/vsLqhbC56q
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
66th min: Players on both teams appear to be cramping pretty badly. Joao Pedro is down and needs some help from the referee near the mid line, while Desire Doue gets some help from a Chelsea player to stretch out his leg.
That will be Joao Pedro’s final action, as he’s replaced by Liam Delap — notably not Nicolas Jackson. Marquinhos tries to hurry his fellow Brazilian off the pitch.
61st min: Enzo Fernandez is clearly struggling with an injury of some sort and cannot continue, and the Argentine will be replaced by Andrey Santos.
PSG take a corner and nearly find a man at the far post, but Joao Pedro gets a touch to the ball to put it out over the end line, and Robert Sanchez celebrates with the Brazilian like he’s scored a goal.
59th min: The first substitution of the match sees Bradley Barcola come on to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a great player who had a pretty miserable match. He was hardly involved at all.
55th min: Chelsea seem to have a sure penalty as Malo Gusto cooks his defender on the counter and is yanked down by the shoulder from behind, but the referee waves play on!
52nd min: Chance, PSG! WHAT A SAVE ROBERT SANCHEZ! An unfortunate deflection off a cutback sees the ball fall right to Ousmane Dembele, who directs the ball on goal, but Sanchez makes an outrageous reflex-stop to keep the clean sheet! WOW!
ANOTHER MASSIVE SAVE BY SÁNCHEZ! 🧤🔥
He’s shutting the door on PSG!Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/V5EVNj0icv
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
47th min: Chance, PSG! Khvicha Kvaratskhelia forces an awkward save by Robert Sanchez as he cuts inside and turns the hips of Malo Gusto. It’s a relatively weak shot, but somehow Sanchez barely gets his palm to the effort forcing the Chelsea back line to boot it clear.
2nd half kickoff: After a lengthy delay from the halftime show, which lasted 24 minutes, they’re back under way for the second half, and PSG have a mountain to climb. If anyone can erase this deficit, it’s PSG, but certainly not if they continue to play like they did in the first half. Chelsea, meanwhile, will win with ease if they continue to turn the ball over and counter with such ferocity.
Chelsea are doing a PSG to PSG.
Look at Joao Pedro’s heatmap from the 1H of the Club World Cup final…he’s basically doing an Ousmane Dembele, dropping in on both wings and in defense. pic.twitter.com/tHamGf8pRV
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 13, 2025
HALFTIME: Chelsea 3-0 PSG
Well, that sure isn’t what anyone saw coming! Cole Palmer has been utterly incredible, and so has Malo Gusto who has beaten Nuno Mendes on multiple occasions down the right side. Vitinha has been locked down in midfield, and Joao Neves has been a non-factor while shielding the PSG back line.
What a 45 minutes for Enzo Maresca’s side! Can PSG muster a comeback?
Cole Palmer is the third Chelsea player to score multiple goals in a final this century, joining Didier Drogba (twice) and Eden Hazard.
Chelsea legend already 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2ji3FbFRGv
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 13, 2025
45+2 min: Chance, PSG! With six minutes of stoppage time shown, Joao Neves deflects a cross on goal with his head, and it’s perfectly placed towards the far bottom corner, but Robert Sanchez scrambles across just in time to stop the slow-roller!
43rd min: GOAL! CHELSEA! COLE PALMER THREADS JOAO PEDRO IN EASILY, AND IT’S AN ONSLAUGHT! WHO SAW THIS COMING?!?!?!
Palmer has all day to carry the ball forward into space as the PSG defense retreats, and he selds a peerfectly-weighted pass straight through Nuno Mendes and Lucas Beraldo to the feet of Joao Pedro, who finishes with a lob past an onrushing Ginaluigi Donnarumma.
WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!
WHAT A FINISH BY JOÃO PEDRO. Its 3-0 🤯💥👀
Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/RlygImcV2O
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
40th min: Chelsea try to break after a PSG shot, but Pedro Neto’s deep cross is caught by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Malo Gusto is booked for a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the aftermath as PSG try to push down the other end again.
36th min: Pedro Neto is booked for dissent, and shortly after Moises Caicedo gets a very silly yellow card for kicking the ball away after PSG win a free-kick. Not very smart, and now both will have to be very careful over the final hour of the match.
30th min: GOAL! CHELSEA! COLE PALMER HAS A SECOND! The Chelsea star gets free down the right flank, where Chelsea have clearly targeted, and sends Vitinha into another dimension with a sensational fake shot. With the newly created space, he does exactly the same finish as the first, and Chelsea are flying!
GOAL!!! COLE PALMER AGAIN!
SAME GOAL. SAME FINISH. @ChelseaFC leads by double now! INCEDIBLE SCENES 🤯
Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUu4lJ | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/WscSbLrGOs
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
26th min: We’ve reached a hydration break, and the grounds crew waters the pitch, something Arsene Wenger said they began doing midway through the tournament to help with complaints of dryness on the pitch.
22nd min: GOAL! CHELSEA! COLE PALMER OPENS THE SCORING!!! Malo Gusto gets free down the right after beating Nuno Mendes, and while his first effort is blocked by a fantastic tackle from Lucas Beraldo, the Chelsea forward manages to get the ball back and square it to Palmer who finishes a tucked shot inside the bottom-left corner!
COLE. PALMER. STRIKES. 💥
CHELSEA ARE IN FRONT! 🏆🔵
Into the bottom corner like a cold-blooded finisher 🔵🔥
Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/EmJzPAPlCJ
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
18th min: Chance, PSG! Desire Doue forces a great save from Robert Sanchez! This time he decides to be more selfish and shoot, and his low, cut effort is stopped by a good reflex save! PSG have grown into this game now, and Chelsea can’t get hold of the ball.
16th min: Chance, PSG! Desire Doue has an open goal but inexplicably decides to square it to Achraf Hakimi in the middle, and the ball is cut out!! It comes off a great diagonal ball that opened up the Chelsea defense, but they can’t capitalize!
What is he doing?! That was the opener right on a platter, shoot the ball!
CUCURELLA is in the right place, right time. 🧱
Crucial intervention to keep it level.
Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/utrlv6wfP4
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
12th min: PSG have managed to get on the ball more but Chelsea have dropped into a mid block and there’s no way through for the moment. Nuno Mendes and Malo Gusto go barreling into a nasty collision in midfield, but both are ok to continue.
8th min: Chance, Chelsea! Cole Palmer fires agonizingly wide! He comes extremely close to picking out the top-right corner off a layoff from Joao Pedro, but he curls it just off target! It was so close that the ball clipped off the goal stantion and richocheted directly behind the net, causing many in the stadium to think it had gone in!
SO close from Cole Palmer! 😱
Inches away from the opener for Chelsea.Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/C6rHSkW4RZ
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
5th min: Chelsea have had the better start of the two clubs, breaking the PSG press and putting the French side under pressure. They haven’t managed to trouble Gianluigi Donnarumma yet, but their attacks have pushed into dangerous positions.
Marquinhos does exceptionally well to recover and shield Joao Pedro from sprinting on goal, as he appeared to be through on a breakaway.
Kickoff: They’re under way at MetLife Stadium for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final! A historic champion will be crowned at the end of this 90+ minutes.
Chelsea vs. PSG: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more
15 mins to kickoff: FIFA have rolled out a giant inflatable version of the Club World Cup trophy for the final few minutes before kickoff. Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini performed a song on the makeshift stage.
We’re almost ready to get the ball rolling!
Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform pic.twitter.com/CxDK6Cuziw
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 13, 2025
30 mins to kickoff: Gianni Infantino joined the DAZN broadcast as kickoff of this match approaches.
🗣️ Gianni Infantino before kickoff: “The golden era of global club football has started.”
This is just the beginning 🌍🏆
Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/QJj1dxZsSv
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
45 mins to kickoff: Speaking with PSG players ahead of the Club World Cup final, it’s clear that team chemistry is a point of order for this squad. While that’s normally nothing but boring coach-speak, Luis Enrique’s tactics require complete buy-in from every player, so for this team, an emphasis on togetherness is of the utmost importance.
Ahead of the #ClubWorldCup final, I’ve spoken to multiple PSG players & coach Luis Enrique. All point towards an unparalleled team chemistry.
Usually, that’s coach-speak. With PSG, it’s a lived truth we can all see. Their insane tactics require it.https://t.co/x2zGtBj1P3
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 13, 2025
1 hour to kickoff: Our Sporting News predictions and picks are all over Paris Saint-Germain to produce another emphatic win and lift the trophy today. Who do you think will come out on top in the end?
PSG were miles better than Real Madrid, and they’re miles better than Chelsea too.
My preview for the #ClubWorldCup final 👇 @sportingnews https://t.co/ZX731SRZLa
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 12, 2025
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Lineups are in! While PSG name an unchanged side from their 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has completely changed his setup.
Trevoh Chalobah is chosen to start at center-back over Tosin Adarabioyo, while Reece James and Malo Gusto are both in the lineup, indicating that James is in midfield, which pushes Enzo Fernandez higher up the pitch and sees Christopher Nkunku drop out.
1 hour 30 mins to kick: The Sporting News got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the gargantuan operation of putting on a Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Click here to enjoy a look at the MetLife Stadium locker room, more details about the grass pitch laid on top of the turf, and a little about the over 900 volunteers required to put on this massive event!
I was given behind-the-scenes access to the enormous undertaking of holding a #ClubWorldCup final at MetLife Stadium.
From the grass-over-turf pitch to 900+ volunteers to a look inside the locker room, here’s a full overview of the massive operation.https://t.co/VpcShPWyxs
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 8, 2025
1 hour 45 mins to kick: The Chelsea bus has beaten the New Jersey traffic and arrived at MetLife Stadium!
Chelsea have arrived at MetLife Stadium ahead of the Club World Cup final pic.twitter.com/oY3kVqMBQF
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 13, 2025
2 hours to kickoff: Welcome to live, on-site coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup final from The Sporting News! This match will test Chelsea’s ability to maintain possession and not get overwhelmed by PSG’s possessional dominance and pressing strength.
A big part of that will come down to Chelsea’s ball-winning stars Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who are both doubts for this match. Missing one or both of them would be hugely problematic for the Blues.
🇪🇨🔵 Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea, 23)
🇵🇹🔴 João Neves (PSG, 20)🌎 #ClubWorldCupFinal
Compare players 👉 https://t.co/McR5zrPSJm pic.twitter.com/BRgkxTOkuM— DataMB (@DataMB_) July 12, 2025
Chelsea vs. PSG lineups, team news
Nicolas Jackson has not started since returning from his red card, stuck once again on the bench behind semifinal hero Joao Pedro, as is new signing Liam Delap. Pedro scored a pair against Fluminense in his first start for Chelsea and could be the choice again here, although Enzo Maresca interestingly singled out his effectiveness against a low block, which they will not face against PSG. Delap is available after missing the semifinals due to yellow card suspension, as is defender Levi Colwill who starts.
Moises Caicedo starts in midfield after recovering from a slight ankle injury, while Romeo Lavia can only make the bench after missing team training on Friday. Reece James starts in midfield with Enzo Fernandez pushed higher into a No. 10 role.
Noni Madueke is no longer with the team, Maresca confirmed ahead of the match, as he is nearing a move to Arsenal. Benoit Badiashile was spotted on crutches after the quarterfinal victory over Palmeiras and misses out.
Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella — James, Caicedo — Neto, E. Fernandez, Palmer — Joao Pedro.
Chelsea subs: Jorgensen (GK), Penders (GK), Slonina (GK), Adarabioyo, Sarr, Anselmino, Acheampong, Santos, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, Nkunku, George, Jackson, Delap, Guiu.
PSG are without defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez after each received two-game bans for their red cards against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. Lucas Beraldo was fantastic in place of Pacho against Real Madrid in the semifinal and gets another start, as Luis Enrique names an unchanged XI.
Star forward Ousmane Dembele made his first start in the semifinals after returning from a thigh injury, scoring PSG’s second goal against Real Madrid. Bradley Barcola continues in his regular substitute role off the bench.
Otherwise, PSG have their full list of regulars available for action, a boon for the Champions League winners who have steamrolled their competition throughout this season.
PSG starting lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes — Neves, Vitinha, F. Ruiz — Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
PSG subs: Safonov (GK), Tenas (GK), Kimpembe, Kamara, Zaire-Emery, Lee, Moscardo, Mayulu, Mbaye, Ramos.
