Palmer stars as Chelsea stun PSG to win Club World Cup final
Chelsea's English midfielder #10 Cole Palmer celebrates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final football match against France's Paris Saint-Germain at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday. Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
Cole Palmer scored two goals and made another as Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday, beating the European champions 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium to win the first edition of FIFA's new competition.
PSG were the favourites for a game attended by Donald Trump after coming to the United States fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League and having destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals.
But having been three goals ahead midway through the first half in the semis, this time the roles were reversed as PSG found themselves 3-0 down by the break.
Palmer opened the scoring midway through the first half and struck again to make it two on the half-hour mark, before taking advantage of passive defending to set up Joao Pedro for the third on 43 minutes.
A bad day for PSG was summed up when Joao Neves was shown red following a VAR review four minutes from the end for pulling Marc Cucurella by the hair off the ball.
It was a scoreline that few could have predicted as Chelsea capped what has been a long but memorable season — they are the first ever winners of the 32-team Club World Cup having also won the UEFA Conference League and finished fourth in the Premier League.
They will also take away around $125 million in prize money, meaning the prospect of a drastically curtailed summer break before returning for next season will surely feel worth it.
For PSG, meanwhile, the financial rewards are similar but there will be genuine disappointment at falling short of adding this title to their Champions League triumph and French league and cup double.
Nevertheless, conquering Europe was always the main aim this season for Luis Enrique's team, who now have exactly a month to digest this and take a holiday before returning to action in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.
– Trump in attendance –
There was a real sense of occasion at the MetLife Stadium, with the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and with President Trump in attendance along with First Lady Melania Trump in a crowd of 81,118.
There was even the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA tournament, adding a Super Bowl feel to a final played at the home of NFL sides the New York Giants and New York Jets.
As for the football, for the second time in six weeks PSG found themselves involved in a final that quickly turned into a one-sided affair.
The club claimed a historic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, but here they were ripped apart by Chelsea on another hot afternoon.
Palmer almost put Chelsea ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, before PSG should have scored at the other end only for Desire Doue to try to pass to Achraf Hakimi rather than shoot inside the box, allowing Cucurella to block.
It was Chelsea who struck in the 22nd minute as Malo Gusto got the better of Nuno Mendes down the right before seeing his shot blocked by Lucas Beraldo. The ball came back to Gusto and he teed up Palmer to finish into the bottom-left corner.
Palmer has been the face of Chelsea on billboards in the United States during the tournament and he lived up to his star billing by scoring again on the half-hour.
Released on the right with PSG left-back Mendes out of position, Palmer advanced towards the box before stroking a low shot into the same corner.
Joao Pedro played a part in the build-up to that goal and the Brazilian, signed during the tournament from Brighton, then got his name on the scoresheet to make it 3-0.
Scorer of both goals against Fluminense in the semi-finals, he clipped a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma after being supplied by Palmer.
PSG had conceded a single goal in their previous eight matches and they never really looked like producing a comeback, even if Neves headed just wide in first-half stoppage time.
Substitute Liam Delap almost got a fourth for Chelsea midway through the second half, before Neves was shown red to complete a bad day for PSG.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ruan Nortjé says Boks are all systems go for Georgia
'We know what a big challenge it is for us. We know the type of team Georgia are and the type of rugby they have played in the last year or two.' Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortjé and Eben Etzebeth have all been selected for the Georgia match. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé said that while he is personally excited to be in Mbombela, a place close to his heart, the team have geared up for a tough and physical match against Georgia on Saturday. South Africa and the European nation have only ever played each other twice to date. The Springboks beat Georgia convincingly 46–19 in their 2003 Rugby World Cup pool game. Eighteen years later, the South Africans won even more convincingly in a Test played at Loftus in July 2021, with the final score 40–9. Bongi Mbonambi, Cobus Reinach, Kwagga Smith, Herschel Jantjies and Malcolm Marx all scored tries on the day. While Nortjé missed this season's first friendly against the Barbarians and first Test match against Italy, he got his seventh cap in the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on the weekend, which the Springboks won 45–0 despite being a player down for an hour. Boks amped for Georgia The Springboks will play their Test against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium this weekend, before a three-week break in the build-up to the Rugby Championship, which kicks off against Australia at Ellis Park on 16 August. While Georgia are not expected to be the toughest opponents, there are a lot of boxes the Boks will want to tick before this all-important tournament. Nortjé was selected to start at five lock for the game. 'Saturday is behind us, it is in the past,' Nortjé said. 'We have a new job, and we know what a big challenge it is for us. We know the type of team Georgia are and the type of rugby they have played in the last year or two.' The Bok lock says they are preparing for a physical and competitive match. He said Mbombela is one of his favourite places to play at, memories of last year's Springboks–Argentina Rugby Championship game fresh in his mind. He played the full 80 minutes of the 48–7 win. 'The atmosphere was electric,' Nortjé said. He added that he was looking forward to embracing that environment again. 'Mbombela is a very special place, close to my heart. My wife and I love the Kruger National Park. Whenever we get a bit of off time, we love to come. It is just awesome to see how the people of Mbombela get behind the Springboks.' Nortjé learns from more experienced Bok locks On a personal note, the 26-year-old said he was humbled and grateful to train with more experienced Springbok locks. 'For me it is all about learning as much as possible. You have probably some of the best locks in the world here: Lood [de Jager], Eben [Etzebeth], Franco [Mostert], RG [Snyman]. 'So for me it's a real honour to learn from those guys and grow my game personally and try to represent South Africa to the best of my ability.'
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Jordan Klopper: South Africa's rising star in canoeing
Jordan Klopper Image: Supplied As the world of competitive canoeing prepares for the 2025 International Canoeing Federation's (ICF) Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships, one young athlete stands out among the seasoned competitors. Jordan Klopper, an 18-year-old first-year BCom student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), is set to make waves as he represents South Africa for the sixth time on the international stage. Scheduled for 23-27 July 2025 in Portugal, the championships promise to be a thrilling contest, particularly as Klopper enters this new age category knowing he will compete against more experienced paddlers. 'This year I'm in a new age group (U23); and I'm quite young, as I'm only 18, and will be racing against guys much older than me,' Klopper shared. Despite the challenges, his mindset is refreshingly optimistic. 'I know they'll be very strong because the European competition is fierce; but going in, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.' Having embarked on his canoeing journey nine years ago, when he was just ten years old, Klopper's passion was sparked by a friend who shared tales of their training routines. 'I remember going to my parents and asking if I could give it a try – and ever since then, I haven't looked back,' he recalls of those early days. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading His journey into representing South Africa started back in 2021 when he was only in grade nine. With a drive to compete at an elite level, Klopper travelled to KwaZulu-Natal for trials, seizing what he dubbed a 'brilliant opportunity' to represent his country internationally. At the trials, he came away victorious in both the K2 500m and 200m events, achieving a commendable second in the K1 500m and 200m, alongside a second in the K1 5,000m category. 'I was chuffed about that," he said, reflecting on his successful debut year As he prepares for the upcoming championships, Klopper will compete in both the 200m and 500m K1 events, which require a combination of explosive energy, power, and refined technique. 'Sport has both the physical and the mental aspect, which is just as big. So, as I think about my 500m, I know it's going to burn; I know it's going to hurt. But you learn to enjoy that, and to be very efficient by pacing yourself,' he explained, illustrating the intense physical demands of his sport. Support from his family has played a crucial role in Klopper's journey. 'They've given me the opportunity to go overseas and race. They are the backbone of this success,' he acknowledged, emphasising the importance of their encouragement throughout his ascent in the sport. Though the transition to university life has been significant, Klopper remains dedicated to his first love of canoeing. 'UCT has been an adjustment and a half. Moving out of home has been big, and a challenge; however, it's one I've been willing to face. I've really enjoyed the student life at UCT. It's an amazing institution with lots of opportunities, and I've enjoyed my experience so far,' he says, balancing his academic pursuits with his athletic aspirations. With athletic spirit and youthful determination, Jordan Klopper is set to become a name to watch as he steps into the competitive arena in Portugal. As the UCT student faces seasoned paddlers head-on, fans of canoeing will undoubtedly root for this rising star from South Africa, eager to witness how his journey unfolds.
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: New faces, recovery updates, transfer chase
Orlando Pirates' pre-season training in Spain is now in full swing, with the club unveiling a clear strategy of rebuilding and refreshing their squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The addition of nine new players, including promising young talents such as Sipho Mbule and Oswin Appollis, has brought renewed energy to the camp. The coaching staff is closely monitoring their progress, aiming to blend youthful exuberance with the experience of established squad members. The mood within the squad remains professional and focused, despite the looming departure of Mohau Nkota, who is set to complete a transfer to Saudi Arabia's Ettifaq Club. Nkota's goals and attacking contributions were instrumental last season, making his exit a notable loss. However, the Buccaneers appear determined to adapt quickly, working hard to build a team capable of competing strongly both domestically and on the continental stage. On the injury front, defender Olisa Ndah is making encouraging progress as he nears a return from a lengthy layoff. His presence will strengthen Orlando Pirates' backline, which has been tested during pre-season due to absences. Meanwhile, off the pitch, reports have emerged linking the Buccaneers to Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro, a player who impressed during his recent loan spell at AmaZulu FC. If completed, this signing could offer valuable attacking options, helping to fill the void left by Nkota and increase competition for starting places upfront. The future of talented midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng remains a key talking point. With interest reportedly coming from European clubs, his stay at Pirates is not guaranteed. Nevertheless, the club is focusing on assembling a balanced squad ready to challenge for trophies, regardless of the outcome. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
