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The Blues pulled off a remarkable second-half turnaround to beat Real Betis and become the first club ever to win all 4 major UEFA competitions.
The Dramatic Turnaround
Down 1-0 at halftime in Wroclaw, Chelsea looked dead and buried. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s 9th-minute strike had stunned Enzo Maresca’s side, and the first 45 minutes belonged entirely to the Spanish outfit.
The Argentinian drew the Blues level in the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis
But football, as they say, is a game of two halves.
Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea the lead six minutes later after heading home from close range
Cole Palmer was the architect for Chelsea’s first two goals and helped inspire the comeback
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli opened the scoring with a well-taken strike at the Tarczynski Arena
Real Betis marched into an early lead and were resolute against Chelsea in the first-half
Thousands of Betis fans in Wroclaw, Poland celebrated the final’s opening goal
Cole Palmer dazzled for Chelsea in the second-half and created both of their goals
Chelsea were frustrated for large portions of the evening before eventually finding the net
Palmer’s Magic Sparks Revival
The transformation began in the 65th minute. Cole Palmer, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, suddenly found his rhythm. His perfectly weighted cross found Enzo Fernandez, who nodded home to level the score.
6 minutes later, Palmer struck again. This time his creativity carved open the Betis defense, presenting Nicolas Jackson with a 6-yard tap-in that sent the traveling Chelsea fans into delirium.
The momentum had completely shifted.
Maresca’s Masterstroke
The Italian manager’s halftime adjustments proved crucial. His decision to replace the struggling Malo Gusto with captain Reece James injected fresh energy down the right flank.
That substitution, combined with a tactical tweak that allowed Palmer more freedom, transformed Chelsea from frustrated also-rans into unstoppable force.
Historic Achievement Unlocked
This victory means more than just another trophy for Chelsea’s already bulging cabinet. They’ve now conquered:
- Champions League (2012, 2021)
- Europa League (2013, 2019)
- Cup Winners’ Cup (1971, 1998)
- Conference League (2025)
No other club in football history can make that claim.
The Numbers That Matter
- 38 goals scored by Chelsea in this Conference League campaign – a new competition record
- 4 years since Chelsea’s last major trophy
- 71 minutes of frustration before the breakthrough
- 1st team to complete the full UEFA trophy set
What This Means
For Maresca, this validates his appointment after a challenging start to life at Stamford Bridge. For Chelsea, it’s proof that patient rebuilding can still yield spectacular results.
Most importantly, it’s a statement that European football’s newest competition deserves serious respect. When clubs of Chelsea and Betis’ caliber battle this intensely for glory, the Conference League has surely arrived.
The Blues are back where they belong – lifting European trophies and making history.
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