As the 2024-25 men`s football calendar reaches its official conclusion for many, a significant global title has been claimed under unexpected circumstances. Across the Atlantic, the UEFA Women`s European Championships are transitioning from a dramatic group stage into a highly anticipated knockout phase. Let`s examine the key football narratives from the past week.
Unexpected World Champions: Chelsea`s Club World Cup Triumph
The vision for the revamped Club World Cup final saw two continental giants clashing in a major market, promising drama and global attention. On Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, that vision materialized with Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning European champions, facing Chelsea. Few analysts or supporters, beyond the most ardent Blues faithful, would have predicted the outcome. PSG had navigated their Champions League campaign with apparent ease, dismantling top opposition with a relentless press that proved difficult for Premier League sides to handle.
Yet, football often writes its own scripts. Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, delivered a performance that turned expectations upside down, racing to a dominant 3-0 lead in the first half – a lead they held to become champions. Maresca highlighted his team`s execution as paramount, but his tactical approach was crucial. Identifying and exploiting space on PSG`s left side proved to be a decisive strategy.
The undisputed star for Chelsea, once again, was Cole Palmer. The 23-year-old delivered on the grandest stage, scoring the first two goals and assisting the third for Joao Pedro. After a second half of the domestic season that saw his extraordinary form temper slightly, this performance served as a potent reminder of his capabilities at his peak. With this final, he adds two goals and an assist to his growing tally in major finals.
Alongside Palmer, Joao Pedro emerged as a significant figure. Having joined Chelsea less than two weeks prior, the former Brighton player has made an immediate impact, netting three goals in his first three appearances for the club, earning a starting spot in the final. His seamless integration suggests Chelsea may have found a valuable attacking partner for Palmer.
Beyond the trophy, the Club World Cup victory brings a substantial financial boost, with Chelsea securing $114.6 million in prize money before tax. For Maresca, it provides significant validation, having met or exceeded expectations in key competitions he has overseen. However, the “World Champions” label brings elevated expectations. Considering their performance in the previous domestic season, managing these new heights while preparing for the next Premier League campaign, which begins in just over a month, will be a critical challenge for both the squad and the club`s leadership.
Euros Knockout Stage: Group Stage Drama Shapes Quarterfinal Picture
In Switzerland, the UEFA Women`s European Championship group stage concluded with results that have significantly impacted the knockout bracket, promising high drama in the quarterfinals. Most pre-tournament favorites have advanced, but the path to the final now appears notably unbalanced.
Holders England demonstrated resilience, recovering impressively after their opening loss to France. Sarina Wiegman`s side delivered a convincing 6-1 victory over tournament newcomers Wales. Tactical adjustments, including introducing Ella Toone to the starting lineup and moving Lauren James to a wider position, appeared highly effective. Despite finishing second in their group, the Lionesses feel they are building momentum, with striker Beth Mead suggesting the initial defeat may have been a necessary catalyst for improvement and candid team discussions.
A key result altering the knockout landscape was Sweden`s stunning 4-1 victory against Germany. Germany played with 10 players for nearly an hour, but Sweden capitalized decisively. This win propelled Sweden to the top of Group B, setting up a quarterfinal rerun of the 2022 semifinal against England. While England won comfortably on that occasion, Sweden, featuring potent attackers like Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo, represent a serious challenge, perhaps even one England might have preferred to avoid compared to facing Germany again in the quarter-finals.
Germany`s defeat places them in a challenging quarterfinal against a strong France side that defeated a spirited Netherlands 5-2. The winner of this heavyweight clash is then likely to face Spain, who enter the knockout phase as strong favorites and take on hosts Switzerland in their quarterfinal.
On the other side of the bracket, creating a potentially more open path to the final, Italy faces Norway. Norway possesses significant attacking talent but has shown defensive vulnerabilities. They, along with Italy, may view the bracket favorably, seeing a genuine opportunity to advance deep into the tournament, potentially reaching their seventh final. The Euros have delivered compelling football thus far, and the shift to the knockout stages only increases the anticipation for what`s to come.
This past week has offered a clear contrast in football narratives: the unexpected triumph of Chelsea on the global stage and the calculated drama building towards the climax of a major international women`s tournament. The coming days promise further significant developments in both the immediate future of the European game and the longer-term trajectories of the clubs and nations involved.
Gareth Fenton