In an electrifying UEFA Conference League final held in Wroclaw, Chelsea staged an impressive comeback to defeat Real Betis 4-1 on Wednesday, making history as the first club to win all four major European trophies.
Real Betis, coached by Manuel Pellegrini, shocked Chelsea early on with an opening goal by Abde Ezzalzouli in the 9th minute. The Moroccan winger’s strike, following a clever assist from captain Isco, gave Betis an unexpected lead that put Chelsea on the back foot during the first half. Despite several attempts from Betis to extend their advantage, Chelsea’s goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen kept the team in the game with crucial saves, including one from Marc Bartra’s long-range effort.
Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes, as Betis showcased disciplined defense and smart playmaking from seasoned campaigner Isco. The London club went into halftime trailing 1-0, needing a tactical shift to turn the match around.
The second half saw a revitalized Chelsea side, sparked by the introduction of captain Reece James for Malo Gusto at the break. Chelsea’s turnaround began in the 65th minute, when Cole Palmer delivered a precise cross for Enzo Fernandez to head home the equalizer. Palmer’s influence was decisive again just five minutes later, as he set up Nicolas Jackson to put Chelsea ahead with a deft assist.
Jadon Sancho, coming off the bench, secured the victory with a clinical finish from a tight angle in the 83rd minute. Moises Caicedo added a final flourish by scoring the fourth goal, sealing a comprehensive win for Chelsea.
This victory is a landmark achievement for the London club, as they become the first team to win the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. It also marks Chelsea’s first major trophy since new owner Todd Boehly’s consortium took control in 2022, signaling a new chapter after the Roman Abramovich era.
The match was played in front of passionate fans at Wroclaw Stadium, with a lively presence of Betis supporters outnumbering Chelsea fans in the city center. Unfortunately, some tensions spilled over as 28 arrests were made following clashes between fan groups.
Chelsea’s victory not only ends a strong run of Spanish dominance in European finals but also cements their place in football history with a trophy haul unmatched by any other club. The team’s resilience and attacking flair in the second half showcased why they remain one of Europe’s elite sides.
