Chelsea completed a historic sweep of all UEFA club competitions after coming from behind to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final in Wroclaw. The Blues were just 25 minutes from defeat before a late surge turned the game on its head.
Abde Ezzalzouli gave Betis a first-half advantage after being played in by Isco, who dictated much of the tempo in the opening stages. Chelsea struggled for rhythm early on, with the Spanish side looking more dangerous and creating several chances that could have widened the gap.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift. Reece James came on at right-back, and Cole Palmer became the difference-maker. The England international, who had missed the group stage, set up Enzo Fernandez with a curling cross that was nodded home to level the score.
Minutes later, Palmer once again delivered from the right, and Nicolas Jackson found the net with his chest at the near post. Substitute Jadon Sancho added a third with a composed curling finish after being found by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has featured in every game of the European campaign. Moises Caicedo wrapped it up in injury time with a deflected shot from outside the area.
Maresca’s gamble pays off in biggest test of campaign
This was Chelsea’s toughest fixture in the competition after cruising through earlier rounds, netting 41 times across 14 matches. Despite some seeing the final as less significant compared to previous European finals, it was Chelsea’s first silverware since the 2022 Club World Cup.
Enzo Maresca, in his debut season at the helm, opted to stick with most of the side that secured Champions League qualification on the final Premier League day. That decision proved crucial as they faced a Betis team that had finished sixth in La Liga.
Chelsea struggled through the first 45 minutes, unable to cope with the pressure and precision of their opponents. Betis had several chances, including efforts from Antony, Cardoso, and Natan, but failed to increase their lead before the break.
The tide turned when Palmer was given more space to operate. Once Fernandez headed in the equaliser, Chelsea’s confidence surged, and the goals kept coming. The final whistle confirmed Chelsea’s status as the only club to win the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
Disappointment for Betis on landmark night
Real Betis reached their first European final, but the night ended in heartbreak. Despite a strong start, they couldn’t maintain their grip on the game in the second half. Manager Manuel Pellegrini saw his team fade after the interval, with Chelsea taking full control.
Much of the pre-match spotlight had focused on winger Antony, on loan from Manchester United, but it was Jadon Sancho, also from United, who had the final word with a superb goal.
The result also ended a long-standing record, as Chelsea became the first non-Spanish club since 2001 to beat a Spanish team in a European or international final. Spanish sides had triumphed in the previous 27 such encounters.
Betis players were visibly devastated at full-time, left to reflect on missed chances and what might have been.
