Chelsea blow Real Betis apart to win Conference League

Chelsea have won the Conference League following a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Real Betis at the Tarczyński Arena, Wroclaw, on Wednesday.

Enzo Fernandez, Nicholas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo all scored in the second half to nullify Abde Ezzalzouli’s early strike as Betis, in their first major European final, were made to rue their missed chances.

The Conference League triumph is Chelsea’s first major trophy since their UEFA Champions League title in 2021.

Antony, on loan from Manchester United, started for a Betis side captained by Isco, a former Real Madrid star player, while Chelsea had Jackson upfront.

Both sides started with attacking intent, and it was Betis that took the lead in nine minutes through Ezzalzouli, who collected Isco’s clever pass before drilling a low shot into the net for 1-0.

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Betis had chances to increase their lead, but Marc Batra’s shot was saved, and the Blues managed to get into the break just one goal behind following a poor display.

Reece James was introduced for Malo Gusto for Chelsea, and Enzo Maresca’s side improved drastically before Cole Palmer’s crosses contributed to the turnaround.

Palmer’s cross was met with a glancing header by Fernandez for 1-1, before the England international repeated the trick for Jackson to bundle home and complete the turnaround within five minutes.

Sancho and Caicedo then added more gloss to the victory as Chelsea showcased their superiority. The former curled into the far corner on 82 minutes before Caicedo found the bottom corner in added time to seal the title, with fans celebrating in the stands.

Chelsea’s Conference League triumph means the London club become the first ever team to win four different major UEFA tournaments, having previously won the Cup Winners’ Cup, Champions League and Europa League.

Maresca, Chelsea’s coach, also won his first major trophy and a second title of his managerial career, adding to the English Championship title he won in 2024.