Key events
That’s all from me. Thanks for reading, and for your emails.
Congratulations to Chelsea, who were absolutely brilliant today. Commiserations to PSG, a step too far after a sensational season.
Cheers, and onwards to 2025-26.
Trump also speaks to Dazn. There is a lot of bluster about winning and success, which I won’t report on, but I’m happy to tell you that the US president has called football “a growing sport”.
Trump also appears to refer to “good friend” Fifa president as Jonny, but that might just have been his pronunciation of Gianni.
Marquinhos, the PSG captain, speaks:
Chelsea played better than us today. Physically, Chelsea are in better shape than us, and that’s where we fell short today.
We did so well throughout this tournament, this season. I am so happy with this team.
An extremely cringy trophy ceremony, which Fifa and Trump will claim as a victory, was only outdone by the Robbie Williams pre-match song. I implore you to seek out the Brit’s performance without clenching your jaw.
“Just a small correction re your live report,” emails Lewis Denby. The MetLife holds 93,000 not for football, but for concerts. Its listed capacity for football is 82,500 – so seat kills taken into account, it was probably near enough a sell-out.”
Ah, fair play. Thanks for pointing that out, Lewis.
I was too busy typing but Dan Davies emails: “Did I just see Ty George dodge Trump’s handshake? If so he’s a hero.”
Jacob Steinberg, one of our reporters at the MetLife, confirms the presence of boos in the stands, and the fact they turned the music up when they first happened. “The boos are very much for Trump”, emails Jacob.
Chelsea go up to receive their medals, and they look understandable delighted. Infantino, dressed in sneakers and a dark suit greets each player with an overfamiliar enthusiasm, which I can’t say is reciprocated. Captain Reece James is the last to go up and takes his position at the front of the squad as Infantino and Trump bring over the giant spherical trophy …
PSG receive a guard of honour from Chelsea on their way to collect the runners-up medals, which is #classytouch from the London side.
Luis Enrique looks like he has cheered up since his swipe at João Pedro. He awkwardly receives his medal from Trump.
A few individual tournament prizes to hand out, before Chelsea collect the main prize.
Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García wins the Golden Boot for his exploits, what a breakthrough for the youngster.
Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez wins the Golden Glove for conceding the fewest goals in the tournament.
Best young player goes to PSG’s Desire Doué.
Cole Palmer wins the Golden Ball for the best player at the Club World Cup. He briefly shares a moment with Trump, just imagine the dialogue between those two.
It turns out Donald Trump is going to be part of the trophy ceremony. Flanked by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, Trump takes to the field waving and smiling, his red tie flapping in the breeze. With a few noticeable boos coming from the stands, the music is turned up to the max. This has the potential to turn ugly.
Sid Lowe’s report from the MetLife Stadium
The attendance today was 81,118, the biggest crowd of the tournament but still not a capacity crowd. The MetLife Stadium holds 93,000.
Interestingly, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is on the pitch talking to Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly. You don’t often see opposing owners/president chopping it up.
A moment for Robert Sánchez, by the way. What a performance from the Chelsea goalkeeper.
I think you have to give Marezca a huge amount of credit. Yes, PSG were poor today, but tactically they were completely outplayed by Chelsea. The Blues obviously targeted the space behind Nuno Mendes at that worked a treat. Cole Palmer found pockets of space all over the pitch – that is not an accident. It was a risk to bring Reece James into midfield but the Chelsea captain was excellent. When Chelsea sat back and aimed to protect their 3-0 lead, they were able to keep a clean sheet. Everything Maresca tried came off. Fair play.
So Chelsea will take a full three weeks off, before just two friendlies (Bayer Leverkusen on 8 August and Milan on 10 August) prior to the beginning of the Premier League season on 17 August (home to Crystal Palace).
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager and wearing a shirt with WORLD CHAMPIONS written on it, speaks:
The players deserve it. We set the tempo. Unfortunately with the weather we were not able to continue.
I’m very excited that we have won here, but more excited that we now get three weeks off!
Cole Palmer, the player of the match, speaks:
It’s a great feeling, even better because everyone doubted us before the game. PSG are a great team. I like finals.
The gaffer put a great game-plan out. He knew where the space is going to be. [Maresca] is building something special, something important.
Do Chelsea get a break of any sort before the new season? All Premier League clubs are already in pre-season training for 2025-26.
“I’ve been a Chelsea fan since 1970, and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a game more, not even Munich 2012,” emails Gary Stover. “I take back all the things I’ve said about Robert Sanchez, Enzo Maresca, and Malo Gusto. Who knew? Nobody.”
Well, then. PSG are not used to losing and they have completely lost their head here – with João Neves sent off for pulling Cucurella’s hair during the match and manager Luis Enrique raising his hands towards João Pedro after the final whistle.
Handbags at the full-time whistle!
Players from both sides clash! The PSG squad are furious and Luis Enrique looks enraged as he appears to raise his hands to João Pedro’s face! The Brazilian hits the deck and the PSG manager is quietly escorted away. Remarkable scenes! Donnarumma is also at the heart of it and the Italian has to be led away by compatriot Enzo Maresca, who is trying in vain to calm the situation.
Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 PSG
Chelsea have easily beaten the Champions League winners! Chelsea are the Club World Cup champions!
90+4 min: Sanchez comes out of his goal to clear a loose ball and so nearly gifts possession to Goncalo Ramos! The Chelsea keeper has had an exceptional game – he might even be player of the match if Palmer hadn’t scored twice and registered an assist – but that was nearly a familiar error.
90+2 min: The Chelsea fans are singing ‘olé’ as they cheer every pass. PSG are cooked.
90 min: Five minutes added on. Remember that is also accommodate the cooling break we had for the players at 70 minutes.
89 min: Despite being depleted, PSG continue to pour forward and Goncalo Ramos has a wonderful chance to get one back for the French side but fluffs his lines at the back post. It was a glorious cross from Barcola, but Goncalo Ramos skewed his finish and Cucurella was about to clear the loose ball!
87 min: PSG manager Luis Enrique looks resigned on the sidelines. This is a disappointing end to what has been a sensational season.
RED CARD FOR PSG’S NEVES!
The referee really has no choice. It’s violent conduct and Neves has no complaints as he jogs off the pitch. He completely lost his head, and with 10 men, surely PSG have now lost this final!
POTENTIAL RED CARD!
An off-the-ball incident, as Neves clashes with Cucurella. There was some bad blood between the pair after that earlier foul and replays show that Neves deliberately pulled the hair of the Spaniard! The referee is going across to check the monitor, but this is surely going to be a sending off!
83 min: Yellow card for Colwill, who is given the slip by Zaire-Emery in midfield. There is a brief scuffle as Caicedo tries to intervene in the aftermath, but the referee breaks it up.
81 min: Sanchez, who is having the game of his life, collects a cross and with another expert Ederson-esque punt upfield, releases Delap. The English striker outmuscles Marquinhos, putting the Brazilian on the turf and is one on one with Donnarumma. Delap tries to round the keeper, but Donnarumma gets a toe on a low shot, and PSG escape conceding a fourth!
79 min: Dembele is dropping VERY deep, as he tries to have some effect on the game. The Frenchman has been almost anonymous so far.
77 min: The game has become a scrappy one, which is exactly how Chelsea will want it. The Blues make a double change, with Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on for Reece James and Pedro Neto.