Chelsea – Paris Saint-Germain: Blues Batter PSG To Be Crowned Club World Champions (3-0)

Chelsea defeated PSG in the Club World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to become club world champions. A brace from Cole Palmer & a neat finish by Joao Pedro gave the Blues a 3-0 lead in the first half. PSG couldn’t muster a comeback as Chelsea saw the game out to clinch the trophy.

Tactical analysis and match report by Gaurav Krishnan.

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It’s said if you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back. Chelsea were staring deep into the abyss after their mid-season blip and it seemed like the Blues would be languishing in the abyss against PSG who are currently the best team in Europe. But the Blues put in a dominant statement performance to conquer their opponents, the current Champions League holders PSG, with a few body feints and a flourish, just like Cole Palmer’s goals. Nobody saw this one coming, not even the most ardent Chelsea fans. But you can never write off Chelsea, especially in cup finals.

“We won the game in the first ten minutes,” suggested Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca in his post-match interview as the fervent celebrations began. There was a lot of truth to what Maresca said. Chelsea set the tempo with their aggression and incisive play. PSG had no answer to it. The Blues besieged the PSG goal to score three in the first half, leaving Luis Enrique’s men chasing shadows and perplexed as to what had hit them.

PSG were runaway favourites for winning this final. But the Blues had other plans. Cole Palmer was on hand to show PSG what he’s all about. He cut in from the left to devastating effect to score two picture-book goals, slotting them into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. Palmer shimmied into the box and left the PSG defense on the floor to score his second, a glorious goal that typified his guile & class. He then slid new signing Joao Pedro in for Chelsea’s third, the Brazilian forward obliged with a dink over Donnarumma to make it 3-0, by then PSG were shell-shocked.

Enzo Maresca has had the season of his career as a manager in his first full season at Stamford Bridge. A top-four finish in the Premier League, lifting the UEFA Conference League and now beating PSG thoroughly in the final to lift the Club World Cup trophy, Saint Maresca can do no wrong. His progressive tactics and targeting PSG’s left side, where Nuno Mendes was positioned, was a master stroke as all Chelsea’s goals came from industry down the PSG left flank.

There are mixed feelings about Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez amongst the Chelsea fan base. But on this particular night, he had the game of his life. Sanchez made vital saves to deny PSG, picked up crosses by catching them safely and distributed exceptionally spraying passes into space for Chelsea’s attackers. While his future may hang in the balance, he had a game to remember as he kept his clean sheet and picked up the golden glove after the game.

Luis Enrique and his PSG side perhaps underestimated Chelsea. Enrique had no answer to Maresca’s gameplan & PSG’s fabled midfield and attack had no answer to a resolute and determined Chelsea. However, Enrique and the Parisian outfit’s antics after losing the game were uncalled for. After the final whistle, Enrique attacked Joao Pedro as both squads got into a skirmish, tainting Chelsea’s celebrations. It was a tough defeat to take but the PSG squad’s antics post-game were totally uncalled for.

In the end, it was Chelsea who lifted the trophy on the night, assisted by US President Donald Trump, who decided to join in the celebrations. You couldn’t write this game’s script; it was box office stuff. It was a night to remember for Chelsea and their fans as they became the first club to win all top-flight football honours after winning this Club World Cup trophy. Some would argue that they had an easy route to the final but the Blues delivered when it mattered to be crowned Club World Champions.

Enzo Maresca lined up his Chelsea side in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Robert Sanchez started in goal with a back four of Malo Gusto at right-back, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill at center back and Marc Cucurella at left-back. The midfield double pivot was anchored by Moises Caicedo and Reece James while Cole Palmer started on the left, Enzo Fernandez through the middle as the number 10 and Pedro Neto on the right. Meanwhile, Joao Pedro led the line up front as the lone striker.

Luis Enrique lined PSG up in a 4-3-3 formation. Gianluigi Donnarumma started in goal with a back four of Achraf Hakimi at right back, Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo at center back and Nuno Mendes at left-back. Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz made up the midfield three while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia started on the left, Desire Doue on the right and Ousmane Dembele through the middle as the false nine.

Palmer Oozes Class In Early Proceedings

PSG built up in a 3-1-6. Vitinha dropped into the back three as Joao Neves dropped into the single midfield pivot while the full backs pushed high and wide alongside the Paris front three with Ruiz joining in to make it a six. However, PSG could find no easy openings against Chelsea’s back line.

Minute 10’ PSG’s 3-1-6 vs Chelsea’s 5-3-2 block. PSG build up in a 3-1-6 as Vitinha drops into the back three & Neves sits in the single pivot as Ruiz pushes up. PSG’s front 6 try to pin Chelsea’s back five but Chelsea press effectively & the ball is turned over.

Chelsea built up in a 3-2-2-3 or 3-2-1-4 against PSG’s 4-3-3 OOP shape. Cucurella tucked into the back three allowing Malo Gusto to advance high down the right targeting Nuno Mendes, which was a central ploy by Maresca all game. Reece James and Moises Caicedo anchored the midfield double pivot forming a 3-2 with their back line. Palmer and Enzo Fernandez meanwhile roamed in the midfield space between the lines as the front three pinned the PSG center backs. At times, Enzo would move higher pinning the PSG four man defense man for man creating a lot of space for Palmer to drift into in the central areas.

Minute 32’ Chelsea’s 3-2-1-4 against the PSG press. Cucurella tucks into the back three as James & Caicedo form the double pivot. Meanwhile, Enzo moves up to pin the PSG back four along with Chelsea’s three of Neto, Joao Pedro and Gusto. Palmer drops deeper & has a lot of space to exploit between the PSG midfield and defensive lines.

Palmer was the free man in most cases of Chelsea’s build up due to Chelsea’s front three and Enzo pinning the PSG back four. This allowed him to drift and dictate the game and would subsequently result in the opening goals. Palmer had a sighter in the 7th minute as he was found in space just outside the box, but his strike went narrowly wide. However, the Chelsea talisman would prove his class shortly after.

In the 22nd minute Chelsea capitalised on a ball over the top by Robert Sancez. Nuno Mendes slipped under pressure from Malo Gusto from Sanchez’s long ball, and Gusto advanced into the box. Gusto’s shot was blocked but he found Palmer after the rebound, and the Chelsea star slotted a precise left-footed finish past Donnarumma to make it 1-0.

Shortly after the cooling break, Chelsea struck again. Palmer received the ball in space from a ball over the PSG midfield & defensive line by Colwill and advanced to the edge of the box. He then executed a couple of neat dummies to evade Vitinha, and floor the PSG back line as he fired another low left-footed shot past Donnarumma. The goal showcased Palmer’s ability to find space in between the lines and PSG’s failure to close him down or put in aggressive tackles.

PSG created a chance in the first half which could’ve been a tap in but Cucurella intercepted the pass while Doue’s effort in the 18th minute was saved by Sanchez.

Joao Pedro Joins The Party Again

Chelsea’s third goal was another clinical attack after a goal kick in the 42nd minute. Chalobah’s pass found Palmer in space inside his own half and he advanced down the PSG left. His defense-splitting pass found Joao Pedro, who bore down on goal & chipped Donnarumma with composure. The goal further exposed PSG’s high defensive line and lack of midfield cover, as Neves and Ruiz were caught out of position.

Reece James, operated as a hybrid DM instead of rotating as a right-back or sitting into the back three, often dropping deep to receive from the center-backs or advancing to link with Fernandez, Palmer & Gusto. James’s versatility allowed Chelsea to switch play quickly and exploit gaps on PSG’s left flank where Gusto and Palmer created 2v1s against Nuno Mendes.

What was also evident was how Chelsea played through the PSG press by quick vertical passes or long balls to their front three. Robert Sanchez almost always went long diagonally, aimed at the Chelsea wide players, whether the wingers or full backs. This bypassed PSG’s high press. And even when he didn’t go long, Chelsea managed to play through the PSG press with verticality and quick and sharp incisive passes.

Chelsea’s OOP shape, meanwhile, was a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 mid to low block with Pedro Neto tucking in alongside Cucurella to make it a back five. Caicedo, James and Enzo Fernandez formed the compact midfield three as Palmer & Joao Pedro pressed as the front two. Palmer would tuck inside at times making it a 5-4-1.

Minute 40’ Chelsea sit back in their 5-4-1 OOP shape vs PSG’s front 6 in their 3-1-6.

PSG Can’t Muster A Comeback Against A Resolute Chelsea As Sanchez Stays Solid


Chelsea’s press was man-to-man as the Blues pressed in their 4-4-2 shape. Palmer and Pedro Neto stayed narrow to shield the midfield, selectively pressing PSG’s full-backs to disrupt their build-up. This forced PSG into long balls, which Chelsea’s defense handled comfortably.

The Blues also pressed in synchronised fashion. When Palmer & Neto jumped to press the PSG full backs, Gusto and Cucurella pressed Kvaratskhelia and Doue effectively blocking out passing lanes.

A key feature was how aggressive the pressing was from the Chelsea center-backs Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill, who tracked Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele deep into PSG’s half. Remarkably, this high-pressing approach didn’t compromise Chelsea’s defensive solidity, leaving no exploitable gaps in behind. Chelsea did this part of their strategy smartly to avoid being punished after turnovers and in transition with their center backs so high. It was a gamble but it paid off.

A recurring theme in the game where Chelsea’s center-backs Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah pressed their designated markers into the opposition half.

In the second half Chelsea kept possession in a familiar 3-2-5 shape that became a 3-3-4 at times. They aimed to control the game and keep possession, preventing PSG from getting the ball & in turn, creating chances.


Robert Sanchez made a huge save from point-blank range to deny Ousmane Dembele, which was a pivotal moment of the game in the 51st minute. But Sanchez who was having a staggering game, made the save to deny PSG any glimmer of a chance in the game. Luis Enrique looked to his bench and made a flurry of substitutions for PSG to chase the game and try and score. But Chelsea’s backline held firm.

Maresca also made some changes to see out the game bringing on Andrey Santos, Liam Delap, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Chelsea could have had two more goals as substitute Liam Delap, who came on for Joao Pedro, fashioned two chances for himself. His long range strike forced Donnarumma into a save at full stretch and the PSG keeper denied Delap once again after the Chelsea striker bore down on the PSG goal and tried to sneak a shot into the net on a breakaway.

The PSG players became frustrated as tempers flared and boiled over. In a moment of brashness, Joao Neves pulled Cucurella’s hair off the ball and after a on-field screen review, the referee brandished a straight red to Neves, leaving PSG with ten men and even less of a chance of a comeback.

Palmer tracked Nuno Mendes when the PSG full back advanced and the Chelsea wingers and fullbacks doubled up on the PSG wide players, creating 2v1s while the Chelsea defense won most of their duels as the game wore on into its final minutes.

In the end, it was a thorough team performance from the Blues that outclassed PSG on the night. The current Champions League holders were humbled by an inspired Chelsea side but things took a bad turn after the whistle blew as both benches clashed. However, in the end, peace was restored as the Blues lifted the Club World Cup trophy.

Chelsea 3-0 PSG #FIFACWC
- Penbox shots: 7 - 5
- Buildup completion: 80.4% - 93.0%
- PPDA: 15.8 - 5.9
- High turnovers: 4 - 0

(via @markstatsbot) pic.twitter.com/uo3sdzdbP8

— Statocaster Gaurav (@statocastgaurav) July 15, 2025

Takeaways

Chelsea’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over PSG showed Enzo Maresca’s tactical nous and Chelsea’s execution of their well-conceived game plan. Chelsea’s tactics of targeting PSG’s left flank, employing a relentless high press, and maintaining defensive shape in a 5-4-1, exposed the vulnerabilities of a PSG side that had been dominant throughout the tournament. Cole Palmer finished the night with two goals and an assist and combined with Joao Pedro’s clinical finishing, the pair were the highlights of a first half that “won the game in the first 10 minutes,” as Maresca suggested.

Despite PSG’s talent on the pitch and Luis Enrique’s attacking & high-pressing philosophy, the Parisian outfit were outplayed tactically in all departments and lacked the cohesion or decisiveness in the final third to recover. Chelsea finished off PSG in style as they became the world champions capping off a great season for Enzo Maresca. Chelsea are now the only club in the world to have won all major top-flight football honours.

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