Chelsea secured their place in European football history with a resounding 4-1 comeback win over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, becoming the first club to win all three major European trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, and now the Conference League.
Despite trailing at halftime, Enzo Maresca’s side delivered a dominant second-half performance that left Betis overpowered and outclassed.
Cole Palmer was at the heart of Chelsea’s revival, producing two stunning assists to turn the tide and earn praise from pundits and fans alike.
A Victory for Progress
While the Conference League is considered the least prestigious of UEFA’s three continental competitions, this victory serves as a symbolic step forward for Chelsea.
Having endured a turbulent few seasons, the triumph brings much-needed silverware and showcases the squad’s depth and resilience.
“It’s significant,” said Martin Ziegler of The Times. “Not as important as Champions League qualification financially, but in terms of morale and stability under Maresca, it’s huge.”
Chief football writer Miguel Delaney added, “Maresca’s team pulled it out of the bag. Despite criticism earlier in the season, he now has both Champions League qualification and a trophy to his name.”
Palmer the Game-Changer
Cole Palmer’s impact in the second half drew special attention. “Once Palmer is on it, Chelsea look a completely different team,” said Delaney.
“His movement and creativity provide a level of sophistication that’s sometimes lacking in Maresca’s tactical setup.”
Palmer’s revival, after a quiet few months, couldn’t have come at a better time, and his performances could also influence his international prospects ahead of the upcoming tournaments.
Real Betis Fall Short Despite Strong Start
Real Betis showed promise in the first half, taking a deserved lead, but were unable to match Chelsea’s physicality and depth in the second.
The disparity in squad strength between the La Liga side and the Premier League giants ultimately told.
Delaney criticized the structure of the Conference League itself, questioning whether top-three UEFA-ranked leagues should even have entrants in the competition, given its original intent to spotlight clubs from smaller footballing nations.
Maresca’s Redemption
The win solidifies Maresca’s standing at the club after enduring skepticism over his managerial credentials and Chelsea’s recruitment policy.
“He’s done well with what he was given,” said Delaney. “There were doubts over whether he’d still be in charge next season — that’s no longer in question.”
Maresca’s tactical switches during the match — including replacing Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto — proved decisive.
Reece James and others brought energy and creativity that helped turn the game.
A Costly Prize
Ironically, Chelsea’s participation in the Conference League could come with financial repercussions.
The club is in discussions with UEFA over breaching spending limits due to massive investments in transfers and agent fees.
Despite this, qualification for the Club World Cup is expected to boost their revenue significantly.
