Chelsea secured a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on May 28, 2025, at Wroclaw Stadium in Poland, becoming the first team to complete a clean sweep of all major UEFA men’s club competitions. The Blues, under the guidance of head coach Enzo Maresca, overcame an early deficit to dominate the second half, with Cole Palmer’s masterful performance proving pivotal in clinching the club’s first major silverware since 2021.
The match began with a shock for Chelsea as Real Betis, making their first-ever appearance in a European final, took the lead in the ninth minute. Betis captain Isco, a five-time Champions League winner, orchestrated a swift move, threading a clever pass to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who drilled a low left-footed shot past Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The Spanish side, buoyed by their passionate fans setting off green flares, controlled much of the first half, with Isco’s incisive passing causing problems for Chelsea’s defense. A long-range effort from Marc Bartra nearly doubled Betis’s lead, but Jorgensen’s quick reflexes kept the score at 1-0 going into halftime.
Chelsea, however, emerged transformed after the break, with Maresca’s tactical adjustments and personnel changes shifting the momentum. The introduction of captain Reece James for the struggling Malo Gusto at halftime bolstered the Blues’ resolve. The turning point came in the 65th minute when Cole Palmer, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, delivered a pinpoint cross to Enzo Fernandez, who headed home to level the score. Just five minutes later, Palmer struck again, beating his marker on the right wing and delivering a sublime cross that Nicolas Jackson chested in at the near post to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead.
Betis, visibly rattled, struggled to regain their first-half composure. Chelsea capitalized on their opponents’ fading energy, with substitute Jadon Sancho adding a third goal in the 83rd minute after a neat combination with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The rout was completed in stoppage time when Moises Caicedo’s shot from the edge of the box deflected past Betis goalkeeper Adrian, sealing a 4-1 victory. The final scoreline was harsh on Betis, who had shown promise early on, but Chelsea’s depth and quality off the bench proved decisive.
Palmer’s two assists earned him widespread praise, with former Chelsea winger Joe Cole calling him an “absolute genius” for outshining even the experienced Isco. Maresca, reflecting on the win, emphasized the importance of the tactical shift at halftime, noting that his team’s increased intensity and attacking intent in the second half made the difference. The victory marked a significant milestone for Chelsea, who became the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. It also ended a remarkable run of 27 consecutive European finals won by Spanish teams, a streak dating back to 2001.
For Real Betis, the defeat was a bitter pill, though their journey to the final was a historic achievement. Coach Manuel Pellegrini lamented his team’s second-half collapse, acknowledging Chelsea’s quality and power as the deciding factor. Despite the loss, Betis will take solace in securing Europa League qualification for the 2025/26 season through their sixth-place finish in LaLiga.