The curtain fell on the 2024-25 men`s football season with a truly unexpected flourish, as Chelsea FC, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, achieved something remarkable: becoming champions of the world. In a stunning final held at MetLife Stadium in the United States, they overcame heavily favored Paris Saint-Germain with a dominant 3-0 performance. This result marks the first of four potential titles Chelsea can claim with the new Club World Cup format now concluding the season.
Few gave Chelsea much hope against Luis Enrique`s formidable PSG side, fresh off a Champions League victory. The French champions had dismantled top Premier League opposition en route to the final, showcasing a relentless press and tactical sophistication. Yet, football, thankfully, rarely follows the script laid out by pre-match analysis or recent form. From the whistle, Chelsea demonstrated a verve and tactical acumen that caught PSG completely off guard. Maresca`s team identified and mercilessly exploited vulnerabilities, particularly down PSG`s left flank.
While Maresca humbly credited his players` execution, his strategic plan to target specific areas was clearly instrumental. And execute they did, establishing a shocking 3-0 lead before the half-time whistle. Unsurprisingly, Cole Palmer once again stepped into the spotlight, delivering a performance worthy of the grandest stage. The 23-year-old maestro netted Chelsea`s first two goals and provided the assist for the third, continuing his knack for decisive contributions in major finals – assuming, of course, we bestow the `major final` label upon the Conference League appearance he also has to his name, a slight historical footnote in this world-conquering narrative.
But it wasn`t just Palmer. Joao Pedro, a new arrival from Brighton, proved an inspired addition, scoring Chelsea`s third and demonstrating an immediate chemistry with the team`s attacking core, earning a starting spot in the final after just two weeks at the club and contributing significantly with three goals in three games for his new club.
Beyond the silverware, this victory brings significant financial reward, netting the club over $114 million in prize money before taxes. For Enzo Maresca, it`s a considerable early triumph, exceeding expectations in a high-profile tournament and providing a solid platform for his tenure. However, the gleam of being `champions of the world` now casts a long shadow over domestic expectations. With the Premier League season starting in just over a month, this young Chelsea squad will face immense pressure to translate global glory into consistent domestic performance. They are, after all, champions of the world… let`s see how that fares on a potentially challenging matchday against, say, a resilient mid-table side looking for an upset.
Women`s Euros: Knockout Stage Drama Beckons
While men`s club football concludes, the intensity in the women`s game is just ramping up. The group stage of the Women`s Euros in Switzerland concluded with several compelling results, solidifying the bracket for the knockout rounds. Defending champions England bounced back impressively from an opening defeat with a dominant 6-1 win over tournament debutants Wales, showcasing renewed form and tactical adjustments, notably involving Ella Toone and Lauren James.
However, the most significant result for the bracket came from Group B, where Sweden pulled off a stunning 4-1 upset against Germany, who played much of the match with ten players. This result created a noticeable imbalance in the draw. Sweden`s reward for topping their group is a quarter-final rematch against England – a repeat of the 2022 semi-final, which England won convincingly. While Sweden, with talent like Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo, are serious contenders, many analysts would argue this is a more favourable draw for the Lionesses than potentially facing Germany.
Meanwhile, Germany faces a daunting task against a formidable France side in their quarter-final, who dispatched the Netherlands 5-2 in impressive fashion. The winner of that clash will likely face tournament favourites Spain, who are strongly tipped to overcome hosts Switzerland in their respective quarter-final. The remaining quarter-final pits Italy against a Norway side replete with attacking talent but who have appeared defensively vulnerable at times. The Euros have delivered excitement throughout the group stage, and the knockout rounds are perfectly poised to escalate the drama further as teams vie for a place in the final.
Gareth Pendleton