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Chelsea shocked PSG with a 3-0 tactical masterclass in the Club World Cup Final.
Chelsea stunned the football world on Sunday night at the MetLife Stadium with a breathtaking 3-0 win over a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain side to claim their second FIFA Club World Cup title.
Coming in as underdogs against a PSG team fresh from dominating Ligue 1 and crushing Europe’s elite, the Blues delivered a performance few saw coming.
Pulse Sports takes a look at five things learnt from their shock victory.
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5. Cole Palmer Is Chelsea’s Big-Game Player
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Cole Palmer was unquestionably the heartbeat of Chelsea’s triumph.
After a difficult spell in a central role, the 23-year-old thrived once more on the right wing, where he previously excelled under Mauricio Pochettino.
He scored two superb goals and assisted another for Joao Pedro, delivering one of the most complete individual performances in a major final.
Palmer’s flair, vision, and ability to press from the front completely disrupted PSG’s defensive structure.
As pundit Andros Townsend noted as per BBC Sports, PSG "turned the ball over more than we’ve seen all season," largely due to Palmer's relentless pressure and sharp decision-making.
4. Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Gamble Paid Off
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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca deserves immense credit for the tactical blueprint that dismantled PSG.
Instead of sitting back, Chelsea pressed high with a man-to-man approach that suffocated the French giants' usual fluid play.
The tactic forced PSG into mistakes and gave Chelsea the upper hand from the start.
Maresca’s decision to target PSG’s left flank with the Palmer-Joao Pedro duo proved brilliant.
The duo consistently found space, exposed PSG’s defense, and were directly involved in all three goals.
This was not just a win, it was a masterclass in game planning.
3. PSG’s Star Power Is Not Always Enough
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Despite their dominance this season, winning Ligue 1 in style and hammering top clubs like Real Madrid and Inter Milan, PSG looked ordinary against Chelsea.
Their front line lacked ideas featuring the likes of Ousamane Dembele, and their defense with the likes of Achraf Akimi struggled under pressure.
The loss exposed a vulnerability that had been masked by previous big wins, when pressed and denied space, PSG lack a clear Plan B.
Chelsea’s intensity and organization revealed just how much the Parisian side depends on rhythm and control to thrive.
2. The Club World Cup Is Gaining Serious Prestige
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This was not just another trophy for Chelsea, it was a defining moment.
The celebration scenes mirrored those of a Champions League victory, and manager Maresca went as far as saying, “This competition will be as important as or even more important than the Champions League.”
With elite teams like PSG, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich involved, and a financial reward reported between £80m and £90m, the Club World Cup’s profile has skyrocketed.
For Chelsea, this win reaffirmed their global status and provided momentum heading into the new season.
1. Chelsea’s Project Under Boehly May Be Turning a Corner
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Todd Boehly’s Chelsea era has been widely criticized for big spending without results.
But two trophies in a year and a dominant win over PSG suggest the pieces are finally falling into place.
With a young, hungry squad and a manager who seems to have found the right tactical formula, Chelsea are beginning to look like genuine contenders again.
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