Football fans are in for a treat as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) lock horns in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final this Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. It’s a clash of titans, with Chelsea hunting their second global crown and PSG dreaming of their first. Let’s break down their past battles to get a sense of what’s coming.
A Fierce European Rivalry
These two clubs have crossed paths eight times, all in the UEFA Champions League, with their last meeting back in 2016. It’s been a tight contest every time, full of drama and narrow margins. Here’s how they stack up:
- Matches Played: 8
- Chelsea Wins: 2
- PSG Wins: 3
- Draws: 3
- Chelsea Goals: 11
- PSG Goals: 10
Their rivalry kicked off in 2004 during the Champions League group stage. Chelsea ran riot in Paris, winning 3-0 with John Terry nodding one in and Didier Drogba bagging a brace. The return leg at Stamford Bridge? A gritty 0-0 draw. Fast forward to 2014, the quarter-finals saw PSG take a 3-1 lead at home, only for Chelsea to flip the script with a 2-0 win in London, sneaking through on away goals thanks to Demba Ba’s late heroics.
Things tilted PSG’s way in 2015 and 2016. In ’15, a 1-1 draw in Paris and a wild 2-2 at Stamford Bridge sent PSG through on away goals, with David Luiz and Thiago Silva delivering clutch headers. The next year, PSG swept the last-16 tie, winning 2-1 in both legs, with Zlatan Ibrahimović stealing the show. It’s clear: when these two meet, it’s anyone’s game.
Recent Form and Key Players
Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, have been rock-solid in this tournament. They eased past Fluminense 2-0 in the semi-finals, with João Pedro stepping up as the surprise star, scoring twice. The Blues have been lethal on the break, netting six goals from quick counters, and their defense hasn’t let in a single first-half goal all tournament.
PSG, under Luis Enrique, have been a juggernaut, racking up 10 first-half goals, including a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semis. Ousmane Dembélé, fresh off an injury, has been electric, pulling the strings in attack. But PSG face a defensive headache with Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez suspended, which could give Chelsea an edge.
Chelsea get a boost with Liam Delap and Levi Colwill back from bans, though Moisés Caicedo’s ankle issue is worth watching—he’s likely to play, though. Expect Pedro Neto’s speed and Cole Palmer’s flair to test PSG’s high-pressing style.
