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Chelsea stun PSG with tactical masterclass in FIFA Club World Cup triumph

Cole Palmer's brace and Joao Pedro's clinical finish secured the win, while PSG's Joao Neves saw red late on for a moment of frustration.

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's head coach, earned widespread praise for his tactical setup. "We planned to go man-to-man, pressing them intensely," Maresca said post-match.

"PSG are so good that if you give them time, they'll hurt you. We targeted their midfield, with Reece James and Moisés Caicedo on two of them, and Enzo Fernandez marking Vitinha. That opened spaces, and we exploited them well."

The Blues' aggressive approach overwhelmed PSG from the start. Palmer nearly scored early, his eighth-minute strike deflecting off Lucas Beraldo.

Undeterred, he broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, calmly slotting in from Malo Gusto's pass.

Eight minutes later, Palmer dazzled with a solo run and sublime finish to double the lead. Joao Pedro sealed the rout before halftime, chipping Gianluigi Donnarumma after a precise Palmer through-ball.

PSG, who had knocked out Premier League sides Liverpool and Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season, struggled to respond. Robert Sanchez's heroics in goal, including reflex saves to deny Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, kept Chelsea's clean sheet intact. PSG's hopes faded further when Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair with six minutes left.

Maresca highlighted his team's effort: "I have huge respect for PSG and their coach, but we planned to win. I didn't expect 3-0 at halftime, but I knew this team would fight. They can compete with anyone." He also celebrated the squad's collective spirit, adding, "This is for the players—they deserve this moment."

Chelsea's triumph adds to their UEFA Conference League success in May and brings over 90 million pounds in prize money.

PSG, meanwhile, fell short of a historic quadruple, last achieved by Barcelona in 2015.

Recent X posts from Chelsea's official account celebrated the victory, with one stating: "World Champions! The Blues dominate PSG to lift the FIFA Club World Cup!  #CFC."

Palmer also shared his joy, posting: "Buzzing to score twice and help the lads win this trophy!  #ClubWorldCup."

This victory cements Chelsea's resurgence under Maresca, showcasing their ability to outclass one of Europe's elite and marking them as a force on the global stage.

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