Chelsea crowned a dominant European campaign with a 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday night in Wroclaw, Poland — marking their first major trophy since 2021 and completing a historic sweep of all four major European competitions.
The Premier League side became the first club to win the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup, securing a new milestone in continental football.
Despite an early shock when Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli opened the scoring in the ninth minute, Chelsea emerged a different team in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals to seal the triumph.
Man-of-the-match Cole Palmer played a pivotal role, setting up two goals in five explosive minutes. His precise delivery in the 65th minute found Enzo Fernandez, who leveled the score with a sharp header. Palmer followed up with a dazzling run and a cross that bounced off Nicolas Jackson’s chest to give Chelsea the lead in the 70th minute.
Substitute Jadon Sancho made it 3-1 with a composed finish in the 83rd minute before Moises Caicedo rounded off the win in stoppage time, capitalizing on a late opening to extend the lead.
Real Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, had taken an early lead when Isco slipped a clever pass to Ezzalzouli, who drove a left-footed shot beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Betis threatened further with long-range efforts and close chances, particularly through Johnny Cardoso and Marc Bartra, but failed to capitalize on their momentum.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca introduced captain Reece James at halftime, replacing the struggling Malo Gusto, in a tactical shift that turned the tide of the match.
As the match wore on, Chelsea asserted dominance in possession and tempo, buoyed by a vocal fan base inside Wroclaw Stadium. Jackson came close to doubling his tally shortly after scoring, but a heavy touch denied him the brace.
The win marks Chelsea’s first silverware under the ownership of Todd Boehly’s consortium, which took over from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
The result also brought an end to a remarkable era of dominance for Spanish teams in major finals. Prior to Wednesday’s result, Spanish teams had emerged victorious in 27 consecutive men’s finals across World Cups, European Championships, Champions League, and Europa League appearances — with all intra-Spanish club clashes.
The final was preceded by large crowds gathering in Wroclaw, where supporters of both teams filled the city centre. Authorities confirmed that 28 arrests were made following clashes between groups of fans.
Chelsea’s Conference League triumph signals the beginning of a new chapter for the London side as they look to build on continental success heading into the next season.
