Chelsea Football Club etched their name into the history books Wednesday night, completing a sensational second-half comeback to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final at Wroclaw Stadium.
The victory marks Chelsea as the first club to win all five major UEFA men’s club competitions, adding the Conference League to their illustrious trophy cabinet alongside the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
Under the guidance of head coach Enzo Maresca, in his first season at the helm, Chelsea delivered a performance that showcased resilience, flair, and the brilliance of Cole Palmer, who was named Player of the Match for his pivotal role in turning the tide.
The win ends a four-year trophy drought for the Blues and provides a significant milestone for the club’s American ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, who celebrated their first piece of silverware since taking over in 2022.
The match began with Real Betis taking the lead in the ninth minute, as former Barcelona talent Ez Abde capitalized on a slick pass from Isco to fire past Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
The Spanish side, managed by the experienced Manuel Pellegrini, dominated the first half, with Isco’s dazzling play leaving Chelsea’s defense scrambling. Fans at Wroclaw Stadium and those watching worldwide began to wonder if the 71-year-old Pellegrini might become the oldest coach to win a major European trophy.
However, the second half belonged to Chelsea. Cole Palmer, who had been quiet in the opening 45 minutes, emerged as the catalyst for a stunning turnaround. In five minutes, the 23-year-old provided two exquisite assists
First setting up Enzo Fernández to equalize and then feeding Nicolas Jackson to put Chelsea ahead.
Palmer’s creativity was lauded by former Chelsea winger Joe Cole, who called him “an absolute genius” on TNT Sports.
Additionally, Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United, added a third with a powerful strike in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a tiring Betis defense. Moises Caicedo sealed the rout in stoppage time, firing home to spark wild celebrations among the Chelsea faithful.
The final whistle saw captain Reece James lift the trophy, a moment he described as a “must-win” for the club, with gold ticker tape raining down and owner Todd Boehly joining the players on the pitch.
Historic achievement
Chelsea’s victory completes a remarkable journey in the 2024-25 Conference League campaign, which included emphatic wins over Gent (4-2), Panathinaikos (4-1), Noah (8-0), and Djurgården (5-1 aggregate). Young striker Marc Guiu, who scored six goals in the competition, played a key role, though he has yet to start a Premier League match this season.
The triumph cements Chelsea’s status as a European powerhouse, with nine UEFA titles now placing them eighth in the all-time rankings, behind only Real Madrid, AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Ajax.
“This is a starting point,” Maresca said post-match. “To build a winning mentality, you need to win competitions, and this trophy will make us better.”
For Chelsea fans, the victory was a moment of pride and relief. “The quality of this was a hundred times better than the Europa League final,” said supporter Kevin, while Carole celebrated the club’s historic feat: “We’ve won the lot! History boys!”
While winning the Conference League typically secures a spot in the following season’s Europa League, Chelsea’s fourth-place finish in the Premier League already guarantees their return to the Champions League in 2025-26.
As a result, their Conference League success does not affect Premier League European qualification, with Aston Villa and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace securing Europa League spots, and Nottingham Forest set to compete in the Conference League.
Looking ahead
For Maresca, the victory is a foundation for future success. Despite criticism for his style of play and a challenging winter period, the Italian coach has delivered silverware and Champions League qualification in his debut season.
“We’ve shown consistency in the Premier League, the most difficult competition in the world,” he said. “This trophy is something we can build on.”
As Chelsea fans celebrated long into the night in all over the world, the message was clear: the Blues are back. With Cole Palmer leading the charge and a young squad hungry for more, this Conference League triumph could indeed be the launchpad for a new era of glory at Stamford Bridge.
– By Jeremiah Richu
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