Chelsea Football Club achieved a historic milestone on May 28, 2025, by defeating Real Betis 4-1 in a thrilling UEFA Conference League final held in Wroclaw, Poland. This remarkable victory not only secured their first trophy under manager Enzo Maresca but also etched Chelsea's name in history as the first club to win all four major European trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup. The triumph also marked the first piece of silverware for the club since Todd Boehly’s consortium took ownership in 2022.

The match began with Real Betis displaying early dominance. The Spanish side, under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, seized the lead in the ninth minute. Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli found the net with a calm finish, latching onto a precise through ball from the inspired Isco, who was a commanding presence in midfield. Betis controlled much of the first half and had opportunities to extend their advantage, while Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm and create meaningful chances, appearing outclassed at times. Chelsea went into the halftime break trailing 1-0.

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's head coach, later admitted that his team had approached the first half "in the wrong way," suggesting that the squad might have been overly complacent following their recent success in securing Champions League qualification. However, Maresca's halftime adjustments proved pivotal. The introduction of club captain Reece James, who replaced Malo Gusto, immediately shifted the momentum in Chelsea's favour, bringing renewed energy and urgency to their play.

The second half witnessed a stunning resurgence from Chelsea, largely orchestrated by the dazzling Cole Palmer. Palmer was instrumental in turning the game on its head, first delivering a pinpoint cross for Enzo Fernandez to head home the equalizer around the 60-minute mark. Just five minutes later, Palmer was the provider again, this time setting up Nicolas Jackson, who managed to bundle the ball into the net, possibly off his chest, to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Chelsea’s fans, who had travelled to Wroclaw, were in full voice as their team took control.

As Real Betis started to wane, Chelsea pressed their advantage. Substitute Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute with a composed, curled finish from a tight angle, following good work and an assist from fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The victory was emphatically sealed in the final minute of regulation time by Moises Caicedo, Chelsea’s Player of the Season. Caicedo unleashed a low, driven shot from the edge of the penalty area, finding the bottom corner after being set up by Enzo Fernandez, capping off a dominant second-half display.

This victory was particularly significant for Chelsea, ending a trophy drought of 1,202 days and providing a moment of triumph for the club's ownership. Todd Boehly was visibly delighted, celebrating with the team after the trophy lift. The win also had broader implications, breaking an impressive winning streak for Spanish teams in major men's European finals. Furthermore, it provided a strong conclusion to Chelsea's season, with silverware secured shortly after confirming their return to the Champions League.

Reflecting on the match, Real Betis playmaker Isco lamented his team's inability to capitalize on their first-half dominance. "We had a good first half where they barely had any chances," he said. "We had it close and we didn’t know how to take advantage of the score... In a European final, mistakes are very punishing. In the second half, they ran over us. It’s painful." Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged his team's initial struggles, stating, "The message after Forest was that if we wanted to be an important team, what we’ve done is done and we have to win a final now."

An interesting side note to the celebrations concerned midfielder Romeo Lavia. He was observed not receiving a medal during the initial presentation ceremony because he had not been registered in Chelsea's updated UEFA squad list for the knockout stages due to an injury-plagued season. However, UEFA typically provides winning clubs with a set number of medals (often 50) for distribution as they see fit, making it likely that Lavia would eventually receive one for his part in the squad during the season.