In a night that will be etched in European football history, Chelsea mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final held at Wrocław Stadium on May 28, 2025. This victory not only secured Chelsea's first Conference League title but also made them the first club to win all four major UEFA men's competitions: the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners' Cup, and Conference League.
The match began with Real Betis displaying high energy and pressing Chelsea aggressively. Their efforts paid off early when, in the 9th minute, Isco delivered a precise pass to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving Betis a 1-0 lead.
Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Betis maintaining their lead into halftime. However, the second half saw a revitalized Chelsea side take control. In the 52nd minute, Cole Palmer, who was instrumental throughout the match, assisted Enzo Fernández to level the score. Just minutes later, Palmer set up Nicolas Jackson, who gave Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Jadon Sancho extended the lead with a well-placed shot, and Moisés Caicedo sealed the victory with a goal in the closing stage.
Cole Palmer's performance was pivotal; his two assists marked the first time a player had achieved such a feat in a major European final since Marcelo in 2018. His vision and creativity were central to Chelsea's second-half resurgence.
This triumph also marked Chelsea's first trophy under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, signaling a successful start to a new era for the club. For Real Betis, despite a strong start and reaching their first major European final, they were ultimately outclassed by Chelsea's depth and quality.
The match statistics reflected Chelsea's dominance in the second half, with 63% possession and seven shots on target compared to Betis's three. The victory not only added another trophy to Chelsea's cabinet but also solidified their status as one of Europe's elite clubs.
Following the Chelsea win this is what the managers had to say
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, acknowledged the team's slow start, stating that the first half was "flat." He praised his players' resilience and emphasized the importance of building a winning mentality within the squad. Maresca highlighted Cole Palmer's significant contribution, noting his two assists that turned the game around. He expressed hope that this victory would instill a "winner mentality" in the young team, setting the foundation for future successes .
Manuel Pellegrini, the Real Betis manager, reflected on his team's performance, noting that they were superior in the first half, taking an early lead. However, he pointed out that injuries to key players, Abde Ezzalzouli and Ricardo, significantly impacted their performance in the second half. Pellegrini acknowledged the achievement of reaching the club's first European final and described the season as positive, despite the disappointment of not securing the title.
Cole Palmer was named Man of the Match.
Chelsea's victory in the 2025 UEFA Conference League final would typically grant them a spot in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League group stage. However, since Chelsea had already secured qualification for the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League, they will participate in the Champions League instead. Consequently, the Europa League spot associated with the Conference League title is not passed down to another club. This means no additional English team will enter the Europa League as a result of Chelsea's Conference League win.
Real Betis, despite losing the final, had already qualified for the Europa League through their domestic league performance. Therefore, their participation in the Europa League remains unaffected by the outcome of the Conference League final.
