In the Conference League final contrasting Chelsea vs Real Betis unfolded a tale of two halves as Chelsea surged from 0–1 down to a 4–1Chelsea vs Real Betis victory, powered by Cole Palmer’s brilliance and tactical tweaks.
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First Half Dominance
Chelsea vs Real Betis began with a shock early setback for the Blues. Just nine minutes into the final, Real Betis’ Abde Ezzalzouli capitalized on a Chelsea midfield error, slotting home a precise finish from Isco’s assist.
The Spanish side dominated possession, with Isco orchestrating attacks and Marc Bartra forcing a save from Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Despite Chelsea’s attempts to regroup, Betis maintained control, leading 1-0 at halftime.
Palmer’s Midfield Mastery
The second half saw a dramatic turnaround. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s tactical adjustments—including introducing Reece James—shifted momentum.
Cole Palmer, named man of the match, delivered two pinpoint crosses within five minutes, setting up Enzo Fernández’s equalizer and Nicolas Jackson’s go-ahead goal.
Palmer’s creativity transformed Chelsea’s attack, with his crosses proving decisive against Betis’ fading defense.
Read More: Antony’s Escape from Man Utd Undervaluation: How He Became a Real Betis Star
Substitutes Seal Historic Win
Chelsea’s depth proved pivotal. Substitutes Jadon Sancho and Moisés Caicedo extended the lead, with Sancho curling a sublime finish and Caicedo adding a fourth in stoppage time.
The Blues’ four-goal blitz marked the first time a team had four different scorers in a major European final since 2014.
Tactical Tweaks Turn the Tide
Betis’ early aggression gave way to defensive caution after halftime, allowing Chelsea to exploit spaces. Maresca’s emphasis on vertical passing and Palmer’s roaming role overwhelmed Betis’ midfield.
Meanwhile, Betis’ injuries to key players like Ezzalzouli disrupted their rhythm, compounding their second-half collapse .
Historical Milestones
With this win, Chelsea became the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Maresca praised his team’s resilience: “We showed character to turn the game around. This trophy is a statement of our progress”.
Betis captain Isco lamented their second-half struggles: “We couldn’t maintain the intensity. Chelsea’s quality punished us”.
Key Stats
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Chelsea’s comeback: The Blues scored four unanswered goals after trailing at halftime, marking their largest European final comeback.
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Palmer’s impact: Two assists and a 9/10 rating highlighted his role in Chelsea’s revival.
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Historical significance: Chelsea ended a nine-year drought for English clubs against Spanish sides in European finals.
Final Score: Chelsea 4-1 Real Betis
Venue: Stadion Wrocław, Poland
Attendance: 40,000
This victory caps a transformative season for Chelsea, securing their first trophy under Maresca and cementing their return to European elite.
As the Blues prepare for next season’s Champions League, their Conference League triumph stands as a testament to resilience and tactical innovation.
Also Read: Chelsea 'ran over' Real Betis in second-half collapse, Isco says
