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Chelsea Thrash PSG 3-0 To Win FIFA Club World Cup

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Cole Palmer scored two goals and made another as Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday, beating the European champions 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium to win the first edition of FIFA’s new competition.

PSG were the favourites for a game attended by Donald Trump after coming to the United States fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League and having destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals.

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But having been three goals ahead midway through the first half in the semis, this time the roles were reversed as PSG found themselves 3-0 down by the break.

Palmer opened the scoring midway through the first half and struck again to make it two on the half-hour mark, before taking advantage of passive defending to set up Joao Pedro for the third on 43 minutes.

A bad day for PSG was summed up when Joao Neves was shown red following a VAR review four minutes from the end for pulling Marc Cucurella by the hair off the ball.

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READ ALSO: Full List: UEFA Fine Chelsea, Barcelona, Three Others For Breaking Financial Rules

It was a scoreline that few could have predicted as Chelsea capped what has been a long but memorable season — they are the first ever winners of the 32-team Club World Cup having also won the UEFA Conference League and finished fourth in the Premier League.

They will also take away around $125 million in prize money, meaning the prospect of a drastically curtailed summer break before returning for next season will surely feel worth it.

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For PSG, meanwhile, the financial rewards are similar but there will be genuine disappointment at falling short of adding this title to their Champions League triumph and French league and cup double.

Nevertheless, conquering Europe was always the main aim this season for Luis Enrique’s team, who now have exactly a month to digest this and take a holiday before returning to action in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.

Trump in attendance –

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There was a real sense of occasion at the MetLife Stadium, with the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and with President Trump in attendance along with First Lady Melania Trump in a crowd of 81,118.

READ ALSO: Chelsea Sign Brazilian Joao Pedro From Brighton

There was even the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA tournament, adding a Super Bowl feel to a final played at the home of NFL sides the New York Giants and New York Jets.

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As for the football, for the second time in six weeks PSG found themselves involved in a final that quickly turned into a one-sided affair.

The club claimed a historic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, but here they were ripped apart by Chelsea on another hot afternoon.

Palmer almost put Chelsea ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, before PSG should have scored at the other end only for Desire Doue to try to pass to Achraf Hakimi rather than shoot inside the box, allowing Cucurella to block.

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It was Chelsea who struck in the 22nd minute as Malo Gusto got the better of Nuno Mendes down the right before seeing his shot blocked by Lucas Beraldo. The ball came back to Gusto and he teed up Palmer to finish into the bottom-left corner.

READ ALSO: Chelsea Agree Deal To Sign Brighton Forward Joao Pedro

Palmer has been the face of Chelsea on billboards in the United States during the tournament and he lived up to his star billing by scoring again on the half-hour.

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Released on the right with PSG left-back Mendes out of position, Palmer advanced towards the box before stroking a low shot into the same corner.

Joao Pedro played a part in the build-up to that goal and the Brazilian, signed during the tournament from Brighton, then got his name on the scoresheet to make it 3-0.

Scorer of both goals against Fluminense in the semi-finals, he clipped a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma after being supplied by Palmer.

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PSG had conceded a single goal in their previous eight matches and they never really looked like producing a comeback, even if Neves headed just wide in first-half stoppage time.

Substitute Liam Delap almost got a fourth for Chelsea midway through the second half, before Neves was shown red to complete a bad day for PSG.

 

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FULL LIST: Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Women Nominees

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The Ballon d’Or has released the full list of nominees for the highly anticipated 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or, showcasing 30 outstanding female footballers from across the globe.

Leading the nominations are established stars such as Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Pernille Harder, and Lucy Bronze, alongside rising talents including Melchie Dumornay, Temwa Chawinga, and Frida Leonardsen-Maanum.

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Also named in the prestigious list are Barbra Banda, Claudia Pina, Sandy Baltimore, Marta, Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, and Esther Gonzalez, among others.

The Ballon d’Or recognition celebrates the best women’s footballers for their excellence, impact, and achievements over the past season.

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Men’s Nominees

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The final winner will be announced at the official awards ceremony later in the year.

FULL LIST
Sandy Baltimore
Barbra Banda
Aitana Bonmati
Lucy Bronze
Klara Bühl
Mariona Caldentey
Sofia Cantore
Steph Catley
Temwa Chawinga
Melchie Dumornay
Emily Fox
Cristiana Girelli
Esther Gonzalez
Caroline Graham Hansen
Hannah Hampton
Pernille Harder
Patri Guijarro
Amanda Gutierres
Lindsey Heaps
Chloe Kelly
Frida Leonardsen-Maanum
Marta
Clara Mateo
Ewa Pajor
Claudia Pina
Alexia Putellas
Alessia Russo
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
Caroline Weir
Leah Williamson

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Super Falcons Coach Madugu Nominated For 2025 Ballon d’Or Award

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Super Falcons’ tactician, Justine Madugu, has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or Women’s Team Coach of the Year Trophy.

The nomination, announced Thursday, places Madugu among the global elite of women’s football coaching, following his remarkable leadership with the Nigerian women’s national team.

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The accolade celebrates coaches who have demonstrated outstanding strategy, motivation, and performance in guiding their teams on the international stage.

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Men’s Nominees

The recognition comes as Nigerian football continues to gain momentum on the global stage, with Super Falcons players and coaches increasingly drawing international attention after winning the Women’s African Cup of Nations.

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Madugu’s nomination is not only a personal triumph but also a moment of pride for Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a powerhouse in African women’s football.

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Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Men’s Club, Coach Of The Year Nominees

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The Ballon d’Or, on Thursday, unveiled its list of nominees for the 2025 Men’s Club of the Year and Men’s Team Coach of the Year awards.

Competing for the Men’s Club of the Year honour are football giants FC Barcelona, Botafogo, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain. These clubs have been recognised for their outstanding performance and influence in global football over the past season.

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READ ALSO:FULL LIST: Ballon d’Or Unveils 2025 Men’s Nominees

Meanwhile, the five contenders for the Men’s Team Coach of the Year Trophy are Antonio Conte, Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Enzo Maresca, and Arne Slot, all celebrated for their tactical brilliance, leadership, and impressive results with their respective teams.

The announcement is part of the build-up to the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, which annually celebrates excellence in world football.

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