After a domestic season that had bordered on flawless, sweeping up league titles and cup competitions with clinical efficiency, Paris Saint-Germain arrived at the first edition of the new Club World Cup aiming for an unprecedented, historic “cinquina” – a haul of five major trophies in a single campaign. The stage was set in New York for Luis Enrique`s side to engrave their name further into football history, adding the global club crown to their Ligue 1, French Cup, Trophée des Champions, and Champions League titles.
However, football, as it often does, served up a stark reminder that perfection is an elusive beast. Instead of a coronation, the final against Chelsea delivered a surprisingly one-sided affair. The heavily favored Parisian giants stumbled dramatically, falling 3-0 to a Chelsea side that appeared far more tuned in and determined on the day.
The match was effectively decided within a dominant first half from the London club. Chelsea established a commanding 3-0 lead, leaving PSG with a mountain to climb that they never looked capable of scaling. The standout performer was undoubtedly **Cole Palmer**, who underlined his sensational tournament form with a clinical brace. Palmer`s performance was so impactful that he was rightly named both the MVP of the final and the best player of the entire competition. The scoring was rounded off by new signing **João Pedro**, adding to PSG`s woes.
For a team that had recently dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final and swept aside Real Madrid 4-0 in the Club World Cup semi-final, this performance was uncharacteristically flat. Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, executed their plan perfectly, nullifying PSG`s potent attack and exploiting defensive weaknesses with clinical precision. It was, perhaps, a necessary dose of humility and a valuable tactical lesson for the French champions.
The final whistle confirmed PSG`s failure to achieve their historic five-trophy target, an undeniably bitter end to an otherwise spectacular season. For Chelsea, however, the victory represented significant success, adding a prestigious international trophy to their cabinet, following their earlier triumph in the Conference League. While PSG must reflect on a missed opportunity for eternal glory, Chelsea celebrates a masterful performance that secured their status as the inaugural champions of this new global club format.