WROCLAW — Chelsea ended their campaign with silverware, beating Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final on a night that saw patience, quality, and resilience come together at the right time. The victory marks the club’s first trophy since Clearlake Capital took ownership — and it could be the start of a promising new chapter.
The match began with Chelsea on the back foot. Real Betis started with intensity and control, and took the lead early through Abde Ezzalzouli, who struck in the ninth minute after a misplaced pass in midfield opened up space for the Spanish side to break. Betis captain Isco picked out Ezzalzouli with a well-weighted ball, and the winger finished confidently into the bottom corner.
It was a deserved lead at the time. Betis looked sharp and energetic, while Chelsea struggled to find rhythm. A long-range effort from Marc Bartra nearly doubled Betis’s advantage, but Filip Jorgensen was alert to make a strong save.
Chelsea Settle, Then Take Control
Despite the difficult start, Chelsea slowly grew into the game. The turning point came in the second half, around the hour mark, when two quick goals changed the course of the match.
First, Enzo Fernandez headed in the equaliser from a well-delivered cross, and moments later Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea the lead with a near-identical finish. The back-to-back goals settled the nerves and shifted the momentum firmly in Chelsea’s favour.
With Betis visibly tiring and their earlier intensity fading, Chelsea began to dominate. Jadon Sancho added a third, showing good composure in the box, and Moises Caicedo rounded off the scoring late on to make it 4-1.
A First Step for Maresca and Clearlake
The win will come as a welcome boost for head coach Enzo Maresca, who guided the side through a challenging final and made key tactical adjustments that helped turn things around in the second half. It’s also a meaningful moment for the club’s owners, as this is the first trophy under Clearlake Capital’s leadership.
While it was not always a smooth journey, Chelsea’s performance in the latter stages showed maturity and control, particularly from a relatively young squad.
Final Thoughts
- Real Betis impressed early but lost momentum after Chelsea’s quickfire goals.
- Chelsea remained calm under pressure and took their chances well.
- The result provides a positive end to the season and gives the squad something to build on going forward.
In the end, it was a confident and professional display from Chelsea, who weathered an early storm and responded with quality. A European title in the bag, and perhaps, signs of more to come.
