The Blues stun Real Betis with four-goal second half in Poland.
Chelsea FC made football history on Wednesday night, becoming the first club to win all three major European competitions after a dramatic 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final held in Wroclaw, Poland.
Despite a slow start and trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Premier League side returned to the pitch with renewed determination, scoring four unanswered goals to seize the trophy and cap off a remarkable European campaign.
A First-Half Scare
The match began with Real Betis on the front foot, quickly unsettling Chelsea’s defense. Their early dominance was rewarded in the 10th minute when Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli calmly slotted a low strike past Chelsea keeper Filip Jörgensen, giving the Spanish side the lead. The move was brilliantly orchestrated by team captain Isco, whose mazy run through Chelsea’s backline created the space for Ezzalzouli to finish.
Betis held onto their slim advantage heading into halftime, with Chelsea struggling to find rhythm or creativity in the final third. For Los Verdiblancos, just 45 minutes stood between them and a historic win.
Palmer Orchestrates the Turnaround
However, Chelsea had no intention of going quietly. Enzo Maresca’s side returned with sharper intent, led by the ever-composed Cole Palmer. In the 65th minute, Palmer delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Enzo Fernández rose to meet it with a glancing header that nestled into the bottom corner to level the match.
From there, Palmer took complete control. Exploiting the inexperience of 19-year-old Jesús Rodríguez, Palmer beat his man with a quick cut and delivered a driven cross into the box. The ball ricocheted off Nicolas Jackson and into the net, putting Chelsea ahead 2-1.
The Blues’ third goal came as Real Betis pushed forward in desperation. Jadon Sancho capitalized on the space, cutting inside from the left and curling a beautiful shot into the far corner. Moments later, Moisés Caicedo sealed the match with a fourth goal on a swift counterattack, burying any remaining Betis hopes.
Champions of the Conference
“It’s a great feeling,” Chelsea captain Reece James said after the final whistle. “We knew the game was going to be tough, and it showed in the first half. But we grew into it and thankfully scored four goals in the second half.”
This Conference League triumph completes Chelsea’s European trophy collection, adding to their Champions League and Europa League titles. The victory also serves as a statement ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign, for which the Blues have already qualified.
Cole Palmer, with his vision and execution, was at the heart of Chelsea’s turnaround and leaves Poland as the undisputed man of the match.
“Coming into this competition, it was something we had to win ever since we got entered,” James added. “And next season, we go again in the Champions League.”
With youth, momentum, and silverware on their side, Chelsea’s European future looks increasingly bright.