On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Chelsea Football Club was riding high after a stunning victory. They beat Real Betis in the final of the UEFA Europa League held in Wroclaw, Poland. The final score was 4-1, marking a significant milestone for Chelsea as they became the first club to win all three of Europe’s major continental trophies. Head coach Enzo Maresca’s tactical adjustments were pivotal in Chelsea’s victory, enabling them to turn the tide after a challenging start to the match.
The Chelsea starting XI was full of new roster surprises, such as Jorgensen, Gusto, Badiashile, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Madueke and Jackson. Reece James on the pitch, about to captain his team in this record-setting match. Despite a nervous first half performance, the resolve and fighting spirit was aptly highlighted as Chelsea came from behind to clinch the trophy in dramatic style.
Tactical Changes Spark Chelsea’s Comeback
Real Betis wasted no time in establishing themselves, scoring with just 11 seconds on the clock. This left Chelsea vulnerable and led to frustration among their fans. Maresca’s tactical shift at the break brought the team back to life.
“In the first half, we approached the game in the wrong way,” Maresca stated post-match. “I expected it a little bit, because for two days the happiness was a little bit too much after Nottingham Forest.”
As the second half started up, Chelsea looked much more energized. Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea up in the 55th minute, turning a goal deficit into an advantage and sparking Chelsea’s lively second-half resurgence. In the footsteps of Jackson’s opener, Cole Palmer played an impressive supporting role by doubling Chelsea’s lead just minutes later.
Palmer’s performance was key to turning the tide and changing the flow of the game. Playing in a more liberated role from the restart, he showed spectacular playmaking vision throughout the second half. His contributions led him to receive Player of the Match honors.
“It’s devastating to find out you’re not starting a final. I want to play every game, but it was the manager’s decision.” – Reece James
Historic Achievement for Chelsea
With Chelsea winning 2-1 at the time, Enzo Fernandez doubled their lead with a goal in the 77th minute. Riding that momentum, in the last few minutes of the match, an injury-time goal from Moises Caicedo sealed the victory. This spectacular finish capped Chelsea’s 4-1 win in emphatic style.
This win isn’t merely another bit of silverware for Chelsea, it represents a historic moment in Europe’s footballing landscape. They have become the first club to win all three major continental trophies: the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup. This win marks Chelsea the first non-domestic club to defeat a Spanish club in a European final since 2001. We think they’ve created some history with this outstanding accomplishment!
With his sobering approach and tactical brilliance, Maresca has turned a talented group of players into one of the most dangerous teams in Europe. His track record of holding player accountability and in-game adjustments have been key ingredients to their success the past few seasons.
Reflection on the Journey
The road to this victory has certainly not been smooth sailing. From the stiff competition they faced in the tournament to catching some bad breaks along the way, this was an experienced squad that persevered. Their grit and collaboration won them a well-deserved reward on this night filled with surprises and history.
Manuel Pellegrini, head coach of Real Betis, was full of praise for Chelsea after their final displaying. That was the take away message, but then there’s the joy, the exhaustion. We played on Sunday for a huge potential prize, they played on Friday for zero. They had 48 hours extra,” he remarked.
As the party gets started in London, it’s hard to overstate just how proud fans and players should be of Chelsea’s stunning accomplishment. This iconic victory doesn’t just boost the trophy cabinet of Los Colchoneros, but ensures their legacy within the pantheon of European football.
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