TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chelsea has become the champion of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Surprisingly, the team known as The Blues defeated the favorite team, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with a decisive score of 3-0 in the final match at MetLife Stadium on early Monday, July 14, 2025.
Hardly anyone favored Chelsea. However, The Blues' captain, Reece James, boldly predicted the victory.
Fortunately for Chelsea, coach Enzo Maresca designed a blueprint to defeat this season's Champions League winner. The players subdued the playing style of Luis Enrique's team, known for their high pressure and ball possession.
Cole Palmer shone once again. He scored two goals. Joao Pedro scored the third goal for Chelsea. But how did Chelsea crush PSG in the World Cup?
Chelsea Neutralizes PSG's Front Line
It took organization and concentration for Chelsea to neutralize PSG's attacks. The Blues displayed solidity in their defense to thwart Les Parisiens' attacks.
Chelsea utilized an aggressive counter-pressing strategy when they lost possession and played with a five-defender formation when PSG attacked. The Blues never allowed Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to freely control the ball. Chelsea suppressed the opponent's attacking strength by defending with a large number of players to close the space and reduce the speed on PSG's wings.
Doue and Kvaratskhelia did not have the usual space to press in the opponent's final third. Additionally, right-back Achraf Hakimi and left-back Nuno Mendes also struggled to approach Chelsea's penalty area. "The idea was to play one-on-one because if you give PSG space, they will destroy you. So we tried to play very aggressively and press them from the start," said Maresca, quoted from FIFA.com.
Pedro Neto's solidity as a left-wing back made Maresca's tactics successful. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez excelled with several saves. Most importantly, PSG was frustrated.
Caicedo and James Press PSG's Midfield
Maresca said Chelsea won the match in the first 10 minutes with intense tempo. Their ability to win the ball, retain it, and maintain composure in ball possession against PSG's high pressure was the key to Chelsea's victory.
Equally crucial was The Blues' midfield ability to prevent PSG from launching waves of pressure as they did when they won convincingly 4-0 against Atletico Madrid, Inter Miami, and Real Madrid.
Although Doue initially made PSG look dangerous, The Blues managed to build dominance in the midfield. Moises Caicedo and Reece James forced PSG into physical duels.
Smartly, Maresca positioned James, who originally played as a right-back, to partner with Caicedo. These two players stood firm behind Enzo Fernandez and made Vitinha, PSG's maestro, struggle to move forward.
Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves also never felt comfortable. The lack of supply from Vitinha to initiate an attack severely weakened PSG's attacking line. It all started from their failure to bypass Caicedo and James in Chelsea's midfield.
Long Passes Overcome PSG's Pressure
With an irregular midfield duel and tight spaces due to a high defensive line, the team that could make the most of long balls would have an advantage. Chelsea successfully utilized two long passes to score two quick goals and control the course of the match.
Both Caicedo and Sanchez utilized long passes to overcome PSG's pressure. Chelsea scored a goal in the 22nd minute after Sanchez provided a pass on the right wing to Malo Gusto. He took advantage of Nuno Mendes' error and ran freely towards PSG's area. He then provided a pass to Palmer to give The Blues a 1-0 lead.
A long pass from Levi Colwill on the right side resulted in Chelsea's second goal. Palmer ran into the penalty area and outwitted Vitinha and center-back Lucas Beraldo before once again defeating goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to secure a 2-0 lead in the 30th minute.
The Blues' defense formed the foundation of the victory over PSG. However, well-timed movements to penetrate PSG's defense allowed Chelsea to make Luis Enrique's team pay dearly in the battle of high pressure and defensive lines. Chelsea rightfully deserves to be the world champion for defeating the best team in the world today.
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