Enzo Maresca’s strategic adjustments proved decisive as Chelsea staged a remarkable turnaround to claim the UEFA Conference League title with a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in Wroclaw.
After a lackluster first half, during which Betis took a deserved lead, the Blues were transformed in the second. Isco orchestrated the opening 45 minutes for the Spanish side, delivering a sublime no-look assist for Abde Ezzalzouli, who fired in the opener inside nine minutes.
Chelsea looked off the pace early on, with Malo Gusto enduring a difficult first half. Maresca responded by introducing captain Reece James at the break — a move that sparked a resurgence. Alongside James, Cole Palmer was given a freer role after the restart and emerged as the game’s standout performer.
Palmer took full advantage of an injury to Betis left-back Ricardo Rodriguez, which forced a reshuffle in the Spanish defense. Just past the hour mark, his curling cross from the half-space found Enzo Fernandez, whose deft header brought Chelsea level.
Five minutes later, Palmer delivered again, curling a cross from the byline that Nicolas Jackson bundled in — controversially off his upper arm — to complete the turnaround.
With momentum firmly on their side, Chelsea pressed on relentlessly. Two substitutes combined for a stunning third: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall intercepted a throw-in and surged forward before feeding Jadon Sancho. The winger cut inside and curled a superb shot into the far corner.
Still not content, Chelsea capped off the win in stoppage time when Moises Caicedo fired in a fourth from the edge of the area.
The victory not only secured the Conference League title for Chelsea but also saw them become the first club to win all three of Europe’s major competitions. It also marked the first time a non-Spanish side had beaten a Spanish team in a European final since 2001.
Advertisement
