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Chelsea v Real Betis LIVE: Result and reaction as Blues fight back to triumph in Conference League final

Chelsea 4-1 Real Betis: Cole Palmer inspired a Blues comeback as they overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to claim Conference League glory in Wroclaw

Flo Clifford
Wednesday 28 May 2025 23:08 BST
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Maresca had to convince Chelsea of Conference League importance

Chelsea secured their first silverware under Enzo Maresca and a clean sweep of European trophies as they thrashed Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final.

Enzo Maresca’s men were sluggish and looked out of ideas for much of the first half, and were blown away early on by the brilliant pairing of Isco and Abde Ezzalzouli, with the Moroccan latching onto a superb pass by Isco to slot home the opener in the ninth minute.

But Betis did not build on their lead and Maresca made some inspired substitutions, bringing on club captain Reece James at the restart to kick-start a Chelsea turnaround.

Cole Palmer was back to his brilliant best, assisting Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson inside five minutes in the second half to put the Blues in front, and they blew Manuel Pellegrini’s side away as the Spaniards faded.

Two more substitutes combined as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall squared to Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho, who curled a lovely finish past Betis keeper Adrian, before Fernandez teed up Caicedo in the final minute of normal time for Chelsea’s fourth. It was a performance of two halves for Chelsea but the second half was all that mattered as they sealed the title.

Relive all the Conference League final action with our live blog below:

Chelsea 0-1 Real Betis

25 mins: Gusto stamps wholly unnecessarily on Ezzalzouli’s foot and the Moroccan goes down.

Chelsea get lucky with Bakambu in the box and the Spaniards threatening once again, with Cucurella scrambling to clear; now Bartra slides in to rob Jackson with the Senegal striker counter-attacking alone and pushing into the Betis box.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:27

CHANCE! Chelsea 0-1 Real Betis

21 mins: Palmer is dispossessed by Isco on the edge of the box and the five-time Champions League winner runs away with it. Betis build patiently, Ezzalzouli is in space to score down the left but pulls it back for Sabaly, it should be a second goal but he skies it over the bar!

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:23

Chelsea 0-1 Real Betis

19 mins: Bartra trips Jackson and wags his finger as the referee blows his whistle. Irfan Peljto, tonight’s ref, has been pretty quick on the trigger tonight.

Chelsea have had a fair bit of possession as they look to settle into this. They knock the ball about for a bit before Betis counter, but Badiashile powers down the right to win it back.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:20

CHANCE! Chelsea 0-1 Real Betis

14 mins: Chelsea are looking a bit nervous at the back. Gusto was at fault for giving the ball away leading to Ezzalzouli’s goal, and now Chalobah is nearly caught out by Bakambu but the striker fails to control the ball.

Real Betis look so dangerous and now there’s a great save by Jorgensen! Bartra curls a brilliant shot goalward from 30 yards out but the Chelsea shot-stopper leaps to tip it over the bar.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:15

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Real Betis

9 mins: Real Betis take the lead! Chelsea back off and the Spaniards take advantage, Isco lays off a lovely no-look pass to Ezzalzouli in the centre of the box. He takes a touch and hammers it low into the bottom corner. Lovely finish.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:11

Chelsea 0-0 Real Betis

8 mins: Both teams are showing plenty of attacking intent so far. Palmer makes a good run down the left but boots a tame shot straight at Adrian. Down the other end Ezzalzouli lays the ball off for Isco on the overlap; he floats in another cross, but Jorgensen collects before Bakambu can get on it.

End to end stuff.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:09

Chelsea 0-0 Real Betis

5 mins: Ezzalzouli’s has already got into dangerous spots down the left flank a few times and makes another good run, with plenty of teammates in the box. He crosses in but Anthony’s header is off target.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:07

Chelsea 0-0 Real Betis

2 mins: The whistle is blown almost as soon as we start, as Ezzalzouli aims to get on the end of Isco’s long pass, but is beaten to it by Chalobah and catches the defender’s hand with his boot as he wins the ball.

Adrian kicks the ball out of play under pressure from Jackson, back and in the starting line-up after getting sent off against Newcastle recently.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:04

KICK-OFF: Chelsea v Real Betis

And we’re underway! Chelsea are looking to kickstart a new era of European glory and complete the full set of continental trophies; Real Betis for their very first European title.

Let’s go!

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 20:01

Nearly kick-off...

The teams are out on the pitch. Cole Palmer’s mascot does the ‘cold’ celebration.

Flo Clifford28 May 2025 19:58

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