Chelsea have written their name into the history books by becoming the first club to win all five major UEFA competitions after a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final in Wroclaw, Poland.
Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo sealed a memorable night for the Blues, who added the Conference League to their collection of Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup, and Super Cup trophies.
The victory marks a triumphant end to Enzo Maresca’s debut season as Chelsea manager, with the Italian guiding the youngest squad in Premier League history to a fourth-place finish and European glory.
“This is what Chelsea is about – winning trophies,” Maresca said after the match. To make history by completing the set of European trophies is special, but what pleases me most is the mentality these young players showed tonight.
Chelsea dominated from the outset at the Stadion Wrocław, with Fernandez opening the scoring after just 12 minutes. The Argentine midfielder, who has been instrumental in the Conference League campaign, fired home from the edge of the box after clever play from Cole Palmer.
Real Betis, playing in their first-ever European final, struggled to contain Chelsea’s pace and movement. Their task became even harder when Jackson doubled the lead on 28 minutes, latching onto a through ball from Palmer before coolly slotting past Adrian.
The Spanish side’s hopes of a comeback were briefly ignited when Cedric Bakambu pulled one back just before halftime, the striker notching his eighth goal of the competition with a well-taken header from Isco’s cross.
However, any momentum Betis had built was extinguished within minutes of the restart. Sancho, eager to prove his worth after his loan spell from Manchester United, cut inside from the left wing and curled a sublime effort into the top corner to restore Chelsea’s two-goal cushion.
“I wanted to show what I could do on this stage,” Sancho said. “This club has given me the platform to express myself, and I’m delighted to repay that faith with a goal in the final.”
The result was put beyond doubt in the 72nd minute when Caicedo powered home a header from a Reece James corner, capping an impressive display from the Ecuadorian midfielder who had marshalled Chelsea’s midfield throughout.
For Real Betis and their veteran coach Manuel Pellegrini, it was a night of mixed emotions. While reaching their first European final was a historic achievement, they were ultimately outclassed by a Chelsea side operating at a different level.
“We gave everything, but Chelsea showed why they are multiple European champions,” Pellegrini reflected. “This experience will make us stronger. To reach a European final is still a great achievement for Real Betis.
The defeat was particularly bitter for Pellegrini given his connection to Maresca, who served as his assistant at West Ham. The master was comprehensively beaten by his former pupil on the biggest stage.
Betis had pinned their hopes on former Manchester United winger Antony, who has rediscovered his form on loan in Seville. But the Brazilian was kept quiet by Chelsea’s defense, with Marc Cucurella producing an outstanding performance at left-back.
The atmosphere in Wroclaw was electric, though pre-match clashes between rival fans had resulted in 28 arrests. Once the match began, however, the focus shifted to the pitch where Chelsea’s superiority was evident.
Jackson’s return from suspension proved crucial, with the Senegal striker providing the focal point Chelsea had sometimes lacked. His goal was his 18th of the season across all competitions, silencing critics who had questioned his credentials.
“Nico has been brilliant,” Maresca praised. “People forget he’s still young and learning. Scoring in a European final shows his quality and mental strength.”
The Conference League triumph adds another chapter to Chelsea’s rich European history. Having won the Champions League in 2012 and 2021, the Europa League in 2013 and 2019, and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 and 1998, they now stand alone as the only club to have conquered all of UEFA’s major competitions.
For a squad with an average age of just 24 years and 36 days, this victory represents just the beginning. Players like Palmer, who was named man of the match despite not getting on the scoresheet, suggest a bright future lies ahead.
“This group is special,” captain Reece James said while lifting the trophy. “We’ve shown that age is just a number. We’ve qualified for the Champions League and won a European trophy – not bad for a young team.
The victory also vindicated Chelsea’s approach to the competition. While some questioned whether a club of their stature should take the Conference League seriously, Maresca insisted from day one that any trophy was worth winning.
Chelsea’s dominance was reflected in the statistics. They scored 42 goals throughout the competition, a new record, while using the tournament to blood young talent and provide opportunities for squad players to shine.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored crucial goals throughout the knockout stages, exemplified this approach. “The manager made us believe this competition mattered,” he said. We treated every game like a final, and that mentality paid off tonight.
The financial rewards are modest compared to the Champions League – roughly €5 million for winning the competition – but the psychological boost for Maresca’s young squad is invaluable.
“Winning breeds winning,” the Italian coach explained. “These players now know what it takes to win trophies. That experience will be crucial as we look to compete on multiple fronts next season.”
For Betis, the defeat ends a remarkable journey that saw them overcome Gent, Vitória Guimarães, Jagiellonia Białystok, and Fiorentina. Their passionate supporters, who had traveled in numbers to Poland, gave their team a standing ovation despite the defeat.
“The fans have been incredible throughout this journey,” midfielder Isco said. We’re disappointed tonight, but reaching this final is still a huge achievement for the club. We’ll be back.”
Chelsea’s players celebrated long into the night, with the trophy presentation followed by the traditional champagne showers and team photos. For many of these young players, it was their first major trophy – but unlikely to be their last.
The victory completes a successful first season for Maresca, who has managed to blend youth with experience while maintaining Chelsea’s winning culture. After the chaos of recent years, stability seems to have returned to Stamford Bridge.
“This is just the start,” Maresca warned. We’ve shown what we can achieve, but the demands at Chelsea are to win consistently. We’ll enjoy tonight, but tomorrow we start preparing for next season.”
As the blue confetti fell in Wroclaw and Chelsea’s players danced with the trophy, one couldn’t help but feel this was the beginning of a new era. With Champions League football secured and European silverware in the cabinet, Maresca’s young Blues have announced themselves on the continental stage.
The Conference League may be UEFA’s newest competition, but for Chelsea, it represents another historic milestone in their illustrious European story. The only question now is: what trophy will they target next?
