PSG vs Chelsea: Palmer Double Sinks Paris in CWC Final

PSG vs Chelsea shocker at MetLife Stadium

PSG vs Chelsea stunned neutrals on Sunday night as the English side tore through the European champions 3-0 to lift the FIFA Club World Cup. Cole Palmer struck twice inside eight first-half minutes, first curling low past Gianluigi Donnarumma from 20 yards, then repeating the trick after gliding beyond a static Paris back line. With the Ligue 1 giants reeling, Palmer turned creator on 44 minutes, floating a delicious pass that João Pedro clipped over the stranded keeper for Chelsea’s third.

Key men fail to deliver

Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, so often lethal in Ligue 1, were anonymous against Enzo Maresca’s compact 4-3-3. The pair combined for just one shot on target, easily handled by Robert Sánchez. In midfield, Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery struggled to match the tempo set by Conor Gallagher and Moisés Caicedo, while Marquinhos and Milan Škriniar never came to grips with Palmer’s intelligent movement.

Turning point

Luis Enrique’s high press usually suffocates opponents, yet Chelsea played through it with calm triangles, dragging Paris out of shape. Once Palmer’s first goal landed, PSG’s composure evaporated and the Blues ruthlessly exploited the gaps.

Late flashpoint

Frustration boiled over when João Neves saw red for yanking Marc Cucurella’s hair, capping a night to forget for the reigning Champions League winners.

Opinion: Where do PSG go from here?

Sunday’s defeat should jolt the Parc des Princes hierarchy. Depth is not the issue; mentality on grand, one-off stages is. Unless Enrique finds a way to inject resilience into his star-studded squad, PSG risk watching more silverware slip away when it matters most.