Chelsea have won the Europa Conference League 2025 after a stunning second-half comeback inspired by Enzo Maresca’s bold half-time substitution. The Blues beat Real Betis 4-1 in a dramatic final that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Chelsea boss Maresca raised eyebrows by benching club captain Reece James for the biggest game of the season. Instead, Malo Gusto started at right-back, but his struggles were clear from the start as Betis dominated early. Abde Ezzalzouli opened the scoring after a brilliant run from Isco, leaving Maresca with a big decision to make at the break.
With Chelsea fans chanting for Reece James, Maresca responded, bringing on his captain for the second half. The switch worked wonders as Chelsea roared back into the game. Enzo Fernandez equalised, followed by goals from Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, and Moises Caicedo to complete the turnaround.
Maresca’s masterstroke and Chelsea’s attacking flair have silenced critics and secured a European trophy for the club, sparking huge celebrations.
Maresca’s Bold Move Sparks Debate
“I was surprised Reece James didn’t start in the first place. You play your captain in a European cup final.” — Steve Sidwell, TNT Sports
Chelsea and Real Betis in the 2025 UEFA Conference League Final:
| Match Stat | Chelsea | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 4 | 1 |
| Goals Conceded | 1 | 4 |
| Assists by Cole Palmer | 2 | 0 |
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 91.48% | 85.97% |
| Total Touches | 754 | 459 |
| Attendance | 45,105 | |
Chelsea’s Second-Half Surge Turns Final on Its Head
- Enzo Maresca’s bold Reece James substitution changed the game
- Chelsea win their first-ever Europa Conference League trophy
- Cole Palmer’s magic and Caicedo’s late strike sealed it
- Chelsea fans celebrate an incredible European night
What’s Next for Chelsea?
After lifting the Europa Conference League 2025 trophy, Chelsea’s focus will shift to the upcoming Premier League season. Can Maresca lead the Blues back to the top of English football?
What did you think of Maresca’s bold move? Did Reece James prove why he’s the captain? Drop your reactions below and share this article with your fellow Blues fans!
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 28 May 2025 22:10
We've won it all! Gusto was so bad when we where in ball-pos... Reece is so much better once he's fit, but we've turned around.
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