Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea: Blues Secure European Glory After Maresca's Second-Half Masterclass

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Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea: Blues Secure European Glory After Maresca's Second-Half Masterclass


Chelsea clinched the UEFA Conference League title with a stunning second-half turnaround to beat Real Betis 4-1 in Wroclaw, completing their collection of all three major European trophies. Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo capped off a commanding comeback sparked by head coach Enzo Maresca’s timely tactical and personnel adjustments.

After a lackluster first half where Betis dominated and took a deserved lead through Abde Ezzalzouli—set up by a no-look pass from Isco—Chelsea looked flat and off-pace. Maresca responded at half-time by bringing on captain Reece James for Malo Gusto and reshaping the team’s attacking approach.

Cole Palmer, allowed more freedom after the break, exploited space effectively, especially after Betis lost left-back Ricardo Rodriguez to injury. Palmer delivered two inch-perfect crosses, first for Enzo Fernandez to head home and then for Jackson, who converted with his upper arm, to turn the game around within ten minutes.

Chelsea continued to control proceedings, and Maresca's influence was clear again as substitutes combined for the third goal—Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's interception and pass set up Jadon Sancho, who curled a brilliant shot into the far corner.

Moises Caicedo sealed the win in stoppage time with a precise strike from outside the box, confirming Chelsea's dominance and historic achievement. They became the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League—and the first non-Spanish team to defeat a La Liga side in a European final since 2001.

Enzo Maresca on Chelsea's Slow Start:  Speaking after the match, Maresca admitted he anticipated a sluggish start after their emotional high from a crucial Premier League win days earlier. "We didn’t approach the first half well. I sensed it might happen—too much celebration after Forest. We had to reset and focus on winning a final."

Reece James Reflects on His Impact: James, who began the match on the bench, said: “It’s hard not starting a final. I was gutted, but I stayed ready. We lacked energy in the first half, and we knew we had to respond—and we did.”

Palmer Shines on the Big Stage:           After the final whistle, Maresca headed straight to Palmer, embracing the young star who had flipped the match on its head. His intelligent movement and two assists underscored his reputation as a clutch performer. Palmer has proven he’s a gamechanger with the potential to lead both Chelsea and England to new heights.

Manuel Pellegrini Laments Injuries:  Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini praised his team's strong first-half showing but blamed second-half injuries for their collapse. “We started well, scored, and had more chances. But losing key players hurt us, and against a team like Chelsea, that’s costly. The players are devastated, especially for our fans.”


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