Wroclaw, Poland- Chelsea secured a remarkable 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday, a win that not only earned them the trophy but also etched their name in history as the first club to claim all four major titles.
In the ninth minute, Abde Ezzalzouli found the net for Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis, giving them a surprising early lead against the favored side and signaling their offensive approach.
However, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea emerged a transformed side in the second half, demonstrating resilience and clinical finishing.
A decisive five-minute spell turned the tide of the game. Man-of-the-matcg Cole Palmer was instrumental, creating openings for Enzo Fernandez to equalize in the 65th minute and for Nicolos Jackson to put Chelsea ahead in the 70th minute.
Substitute Jadon Sancho then extended Chelsea’s lead in the 83rd minutes with a well taken goal from a tight angle, and Moises Caicedo added a fourth to seal the emphatic victory.
This triumph signifies Chelsea’s unprecedented achievement of winning the complete set of major European club competitions: the Champions League, Europa League, conference League, and the now defunct Cup winners’ Cup. It also marks the first silverware for the under Todd Boehly’s consortium, which took over from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
The final in Wroclaw saw a bright start from both teams. Betis broke the deadlock when Malo Gusto lost possession in midfield, allowing captain lsco to set up Ezzalzouli, who expertly drilled a left-footed shot past Filip Jorgensen and Jonhy Cardoso’s shot being deflected by Benoit Badaiashile as Chelsea struggled to contain their opponents.
Despite enjoying possession Chelsea seized the opportunity, completely turning the tide of the match in their favor. Palmer’s terrific cross found Enzo Fernandez, who led home to balance.
Shortly after, Palmer’s magic on the edge of the box led to delightful cross that Jackson converted. While Jackson missed an opportunity for a support, Sancho and Caicedo’s dawn goals secured the complete win.
This victory by Chelsea also broke an astonishing streak of Spanish dominance in European finals. Spanish teams have an impeccable record in major men’s football finals, having won all 27 of their previous appearances in the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and UEFA Cup/Europa League, with four clubs sides’ creature beaten only by parallel La Liga clubs.
The heart of Wroclaw was alive with fans from both teams before the game, and those cheering for Real Betis, dressed in their team’s green and white, were more numerous than the English supporters. The festive atmosphere was marred slightly by clashes in the city’s market square, leading to 28 arrests according to Poland’s interior minister.
