Real Betis vs Chelsea Review
Chelsea made history by becoming the first club to win all five major UEFA competition titles, thanks to two outstanding assists from Cole Palmer in a five-minute span during the second half, which helped the Blues secure a 4-1 comeback victory against Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. Real Betis, who had already qualified for next season’s UEFA Europa League with a sixth-place finish in La Liga, started the match with great confidence. Their strong opening was rewarded in the ninth minute when Isco delivered a clever pass across the box, allowing Abde Ezzalzouli to score in the bottom corner, marking his sixth goal in the Conference League this season.
Energized by this goal, Betis almost increased their lead just five minutes later, but Marc Bartra’s curled shot was saved by Filip Jörgensen, who tipped it over the bar. Manuel Pellegrini’s team remained a threat in the attacking zone, missing another excellent opportunity to increase their lead when Johnny Cardoso shot over the bar from a good position in the box. Chelsea, eager to end a nine-match losing streak for English teams against Spanish clubs in UEFA finals, sought an equalizer before halftime. However, despite a long-range effort from Pedro Neto, clear chances were scarce as Betis held onto their lead at the break.
Enzo Maresca’s squad intensified their efforts at the beginning of the second half, with captain Reece James’s return adding energy to Chelsea’s offensive play. The equalizer came in the 65th minute when Enzo Fernández headed in a well-placed cross from Palmer into the far corner. With newfound momentum, Chelsea completed their comeback just five minutes later, as Palmer’s impressive dribbling and precise cross set up Nicolas Jackson for an easy close-range goal past Adrián.
Reeling from the Blues’ rapid two goals, Betis urgently tried to regroup as they approached the last fifteen minutes. However, it was Maresca’s team that scored a crucial third goal in the 83rd minute, with substitutes Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho working together, enabling Sancho to deliver a stunning shot into the top corner. This secured the win for Chelsea, who further enhanced their lead in stoppage time with a deflected shot from Moisés Caicedo, marking the club’s fifth consecutive victory in a European final.
