… Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo struck in the second half to secure the Blues’ first trophy since 2021
… Dessers scores as S’Eagles beat Ghana 2-1 in London
Chelsea roared back to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday, becoming the first club to claim all four major European trophies.
Manuel Pellegrini’s enterprising Betis caught the favourites cold in Poland through an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli but Enzo Maresca’s team were a changed side in the second half.
Two goals in five minutes changed the complexion of the game, with man-of-the-match Cole Palmer creating both openings for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson.
Read also: Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle Secure Champions League
It means Chelsea become the first club to win the full set of Champions League, Europa
League, Conference League and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
It is also the first silverware for the club since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022, following an era of unprecedented success for the club.
After a bright start from both sides, Betis broke the deadlock in the ninth minute through Ezzalzouli, who scored the goal against Fiorentina that took his side to the final.
Malo Gusto lost the ball in midfield and Betis surged forward. Captain Isco produced a clever pass to find Ezzalzouli on the edge of the box and the Moroccan drilled a left-footed shot across Filip Jorgensen.
Minutes later Marc Bartra tried his luck from distance as Betis pressed for a second, but this time Jorgensen was equal to the task, producing a flying save.
Urged on by their massed ranks of fans at Wroclaw stadium, Betis went close again when Johnny Cardoso’s shot from inside the box was deflected behind by Benoit Badiashile, with Chelsea clinging on.
The Premier League side were enjoying the bulk of possession but struggling to create meaningful chances, with Betis defending well and Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, pulling the strings.
As half-time approached Betis goalkeeper Adrian raced off his line to deny Enzo Fernandez but Chelsea went in at half-time goalless.
Palmer magic
Maresca brought on Chelsea captain Reece James for the struggling Gusto at the break.
The Betis boss was forced a change when goalscorer Ezzalzouli was forced off, with Jesus Rodriguez coming on to replace him.
Chelsea were level in the 65th minute following a fine move down the right after Cole Palmer produced a fine cross to pick out Fernandez.
The midfielder got between two defenders to head the ball down and past Adrian.
Suddenly Chelsea’s tails were up and the fans behind the goal were in full voice.
In the 70th minute Palmer produced some magic on the edge of the box before producing a delightful cross which hit Jackson’s chest and went in.
Jackson should have scored a second goal but a heavy touch allowed Adrian to gather.
But Sancho made it 3-1 when he combined with fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Caicedo added a fourth.
Victory for Chelsea breaks an astonishing cycle of wins for Spanish teams.
Taking into account World Cups, European Championships, Champions League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League, of the previous 27 men’s finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 had had Spanish winners.
Four Spanish club sides had been defeated in that time, but in all cases by fellow La Liga sides.
Earlier, the centre of Wroclaw was packed with fans from both clubs, with green-and-white clad Betis fans outnumbering their English rivals.
Poland’s interior minister said police made 28 arrests after supporters clashed in the city’s market square. AFP
Nigeria regains pride beating Ghana in Unity Cup
The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat the Black Stars of Ghana 2-1 in the Unity Cup semifinal, at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Wednesday night.
Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a clinical finish, assisted by S. Ismail.
Just five minutes later, Nigeria’s advantage was extended when Ghana’s Razak Simpson accidentally turned the ball into his net, gifting the Super Eagles a crucial second goal.
Ghana struggled to respond, failing to record a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
The pressure on the Black Stars intensified further as two of their players, Kamaradini Mamudu and Salis Abdul Samed, were booked in quick succession for reckless fouls in the 24th and 26th minutes.
However, Ghanaian substitute, Brandon Asante-Thomas pulled one back for th Black Stars in the 70th minute.
Nigeria will face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final on Saturday.
Ahead of the match, Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, had emphasized its significance, stating, “This game presents Ghana an opportunity to restore pride, to fuel the passion of the fans, and to remind the continent that the Black Stars are still a force to reckon with.”
The Unity Cup is a friendly football tournament aimed at fostering camaraderie among nations with historical and cultural ties, particularly from Africa and the diaspora.
Hosted in venues like London, it celebrates unity and diversity while providing a platform for talent and sportsmanship.
In this year’s tournament, Nigeria and Ghana are battling in the semifinals for a chance to face Jamaica, who secured their spot in the final with a decisive victory.
