COLE PALMER delivered a masterclass to inspire Chelsea to humiliate Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.
Chelsea’s humiliation of PSG on Sunday is a perfect revenge for the defeat four English Premier League (EPL) suffered in the hands of the French giants during this year’s UEFA Champions League competition.
PSG defeated every English team they faced in the tournament; from the group stage to the semi-finals when Luis Enrique’s side eliminated Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal.
At Group Stage, the beat then reigning champions, Manchester City, at the Parc des Princes in a tactically brilliant performance. Round of 16, they knocked out Liverpool while at quarterfinals, the dispatched Aston Villa, and at the semi-
The 22-year-old Cole Palmer scored twice and provided an assist in a dazzling first-half display as Chelsea dismantled the reigning European champions to claim the inaugural title of FIFA’s expanded 32-team tournament — along with a windfall of more than £90 million.
Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a precise left-footed finish after Malo Gusto’s initial effort was blocked.
He doubled Chelsea’s lead just eight minutes later, cutting inside from the right after collecting Levi Colwill’s long ball and calmly slotting past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Before the break, Palmer turned provider, finding Joao Pedro who was highly composed scored the third goal of the game in a spectacular version to the match beyond the European champions.
PSG, chasing their fifth trophy of the season, never recovered from the first-half blitz.
Their frustration boiled over late on, with midfielder Joao Neves shown a straight red card in the 85th minute for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair.
Tempers flared again after the final whistle, with PSG head coach Luis Enrique involved in a confrontation with Pedro as Chelsea staff and players celebrated on the pitch.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was also instrumental in the win, producing key saves to deny Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Neves as PSG attempted to mount a comeback.
The high-profile final, watched by a crowd of 81,118 and attended by U.S. President, Donald Trump.
A halftime show headlined by Doja Cat also featured Nigerian music sensation, Tems and others added to the spectacle.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hailed the performance as “a night of belief, bravery and brilliance” as the Blues etched their name into history as the first champions of FIFA’s revamped global club tournament. (NAN)
