Chelsea Completes Historic Comeback to Win UEFA Conference League Final
Chelsea Football Club achieved a historic milestone by coming from behind to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final, securing their place as the first team to win all five major UEFA club competitions.
In front of 39,754 fans at the Tarczyński Arena, Chelsea faced an uphill battle after Abde Ezzalzouli opened the scoring for Real Betis in the ninth minute, capitalizing on a precise pass from Isco. The Spanish side dominated the first half, and Chelsea went into halftime trailing 1-0.
However, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround, spearheaded by Cole Palmer. The young Englishman provided crucial assists for both Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson, leveling the scores in the 65th minute with a header from Palmer’s inswinger and then setting up Jackson to put Chelsea ahead just five minutes later.
Jadon Sancho extended Chelsea’s lead with a brilliant curling shot in the 83rd minute, and Moises Caicedo capped off the scoring with a deflected effort in injury time, sealing a stunning victory for the Blues.
This triumph marks Chelsea’s first trophy since the Club World Cup in February 2022 and signifies a successful first season for head coach Enzo Maresca, who guided the team to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, ensuring their return to the Champions League next season.
Chelsea’s victory also breaks a 27-year streak where no foreign team had beaten a Spanish side in a European final, highlighting the significance of their achievement. The Blues now join an elite group of clubs that have won the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and the defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
Despite their early dominance, Real Betis struggled in the second half, and many players were left in tears at the final whistle. Coach Manuel Pellegrini will reflect on what could have been, as this was the first European final in the club’s history.
As Chelsea celebrates this monumental victory, they will shift their focus to the FIFA Club World Cup in mid-June, where they aim to continue their successful run.
