Chelsea Wins UEFA Conference League: Complete European Trophy Sweep

Chelsea have made football history by becoming the first club to win all five major European competitions, capping off the achievement with a dramatic 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw.

The victory in Poland means Chelsea now hold:
UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
UEFA Super Cup
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (defunct)

This monumental feat cements Chelsea’s place in European football folklore, achieving something no other club has managed – winning all of Europe’s elite and historic competitions.

A Night of Drama: How the Final Unfolded

Early Dominance by Real Betis
Real Betis started the brighter side, and their lively display was rewarded when Abde Ezzalzouli fired home a brilliant finish after a classy pass from Isco. Betis created multiple chances in the first half, with Antony heading over and Marc Bartra forcing a save from Filip Jorgensen. Chelsea looked shaky and were fortunate not to be further behind by halftime.

Chelsea’s Tactical Adjustments Spark a Turnaround
Head coach Enzo Maresca made a crucial change at the break, bringing on Reece James as an inverted right-back to provide more control and width. That move proved decisive, as Chelsea began to dominate possession and force Betis deeper into their own half.

Cole Palmer’s Moment of Magic
With 25 minutes left and Chelsea trailing, Cole Palmer took charge. He cut in from the right and delivered an inch-perfect inswinging cross for Enzo Fernandez to nod home the equalizer. Just five minutes later, Palmer was at it again, picking out Nicolas Jackson who bundled in at the near post to complete the turnaround.

Sancho and Caicedo Seal the Deal
The Blues didn’t stop there. Substitute Jadon Sancho added a third with a superb curling finish from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s pass, while Moises Caicedo capped the night with a deflected strike from 20 yards in injury time. Chelsea’s second-half performance was a masterclass in composure and finishing.

Maresca’s Masterstroke: A First Season to Remember

Enzo Maresca’s decision to field his strongest XI in the final paid off. Unlike previous Conference League games where he rotated heavily, Maresca kept faith with six of the players who secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the Premier League season.

His tactical tweak with James and the impactful substitutions of Sancho and Dewsbury-Hall highlighted his growing credentials as a manager at the highest level.

The victory ends Chelsea’s two-year wait for silverware, their last triumph being the Club World Cup in February 2022. More importantly, it marks a promising start to Maresca’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s Unmatched European Trophy Haul: A Closer Look

UEFA Champions League

• Titles: 2 (2011/12, 2020/21)
• Chelsea’s first European crown came in 2012 when they beat Bayern Munich on penalties at the Allianz Arena. Nine years later, they triumphed again in 2021, downing Manchester City 1-0 in Porto thanks to Kai Havertz’s decisive goal.

UEFA Europa League

• Titles: 2 (2012/13, 2018/19)
• After winning the Champions League in 2012, Chelsea dropped into the Europa League the following season and lifted the trophy under Rafa Benitez. In 2019, they repeated the feat with a commanding 4-1 win over Arsenal in Baku, led by Eden Hazard’s final act in blue.

UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup

• Titles: 2 (1970/71, 1997/98)
• In 1971, Chelsea defeated Real Madrid in a replay to lift their first Cup Winners’ Cup. In 1998, Gianfranco Zola’s goal in Stockholm secured a 1-0 win over Stuttgart, adding another cherished trophy to the club’s history.

UEFA Super Cup

• Titles: 2 (1998, 2021)
• Chelsea lifted their first Super Cup in 1998 and claimed their second in 2021, showcasing their continued relevance in Europe across generations.

UEFA Conference League

• Title: 1 (2024/25)
• The final piece of the puzzle. This triumph over Real Betis completes Chelsea’s clean sweep of Europe’s most prestigious competitions.

Heartbreak for Real Betis

For Real Betis, this was a first-ever European final, and they showed plenty of quality in the first half. Isco, a five-time Champions League winner, was instrumental in their early dominance, creating the opener for Ezzalzouli and orchestrating Betis’ attacking moves.

However, after halftime, Betis struggled to cope with Chelsea’s intensity and clinical finishing. Antony and Bartra had chances to extend their lead, but ultimately they fell short, leaving players in tears at the final whistle. Manager Manuel Pellegrini will be left to ponder what might have been after such a promising start.

What’s Next for Chelsea?

Chelsea’s European conquest isn’t the end of their season. The Blues will head to the United States in mid-June to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, aiming to add even more silverware to their overflowing trophy cabinet.

This victory in Wroclaw, though, will be remembered for years to come. Chelsea’s clean sweep of European trophies is a testament to their enduring ambition and growing European pedigree.

Chelsea’s 4-1 triumph over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final is more than just another trophy – it’s a landmark achievement in European football. From Isco’s first-half brilliance to Cole Palmer’s second-half magic, the night belonged to the Blues. Chelsea’s unprecedented clean sweep of Europe’s top competitions confirms their status as one of the continent’s elite.