Chelsea were terribly slow out of the starting blocks and fell behind in the Europa Conference League final on Thursday, but the Blues finished with a flurry with four goals in 26 minutes to complete the set of modern-day UEFA club trophies.
MORE — What do Chelsea need to do next to win big trophies again?
No other side has won all three of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, as the competition is only in its fourth year of existence.
Abde Ezzalzouli opened the scoring and put Real Betis ahead after just nine minutes, and it took Chelsea the rest of the first half (and part of the second) to recover. 55 minutes into the game, Chelsea had amassed all of 0.10 xG on four shots, all from outside or just inside the box.
When they finally started to connect something in dangerous areas, it was the less-heralded right foot of Cole Palmer that was serving them up. First, he floated one toward the back post that Enzo Fernandez redirected low to make it 1-1 in the 65th minute, then Palmer picked out Nicolas Jackson on a near-post and put the eventually winner in off Jackson’s chest just six minutes later.
Jadon Sancho cut inside from the left wing and curled an unstoppable beauty inside the far post in the 83rd and Moises Caicedo put the final exclamation point on Maresca’s maiden voyage in stoppage time.
Player ratings – Real Betis vs Chelsea
Real Betis vs Chelsea live updates – by Andy Edwards
Real Betis vs Chelsea final score: 1-4
Goalscorers: Abde Ezzalzouli (9′), Enzo Fernandez (65′), Nicolas Jackson (71′), Jadon Sancho (83′), Moises Caicedo (90’+1)
GOAL! Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea: Caicedo adds the exclamation point from distance (90’+1)
GOAL! Real Betis 1-3 Chelsea: Sancho curls a beauty to the far post (83′)
GOAL! Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea: Jackson turns home another Palmer assist (71′)
GOAL! Real Betis 1-1 Chelsea: Fernandez heads home Palmer’s cross (65′)
GOAL! Real Betis 1-0 Chelsea: Isco picks out Ezzalzouli for a fine finish (9′)
Real Betis starting lineup
Adrian – Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez – Cardoso, Fornals, Isco – Antony, Ezzalzoui, Bakambu
Chelsea starting lineup
Jorgensen – Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella – Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer – Neto, Madueke, Jackson
How to watch Real Betis vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (May 28)
Venue: Stadion Miejski — Wroclaw, Poland
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Real Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, have had a fine season in Spain as the Andalusians continue their resurgence and have been incredible consistent as they’ve finished in the top seven of La Liga in each of the last five seasons and won the Spanish Cup in 2022. They finished sixth in La Liga this season which is good enough for a Europa League group stage spot for next season, and Betis are chasing a first-ever European trophy in their history.
Chelsea will be full of confidence as Enzo Maresca’s side won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Sunday to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for next season. That was their main aim for this season and Maresca’s young, and large, squad has been rotated well as they’ve dominated the Conference League. Chelsea know if they win this trophy they will be the first team to win all of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League trophies.
Real Betis team news, focus
Antony has been superb since he arrived from Manchester United on loan in January, while playmaking trio Isco, Pablo Fornals and Giovani Lo Celso have regained their form and are key to Pellegrini’s free-flowing style. Betis are a very fun team to watch and USMNT holding midfielder Johnny Cardoso is influential and so important in providing balance but he’s struggling with an injury.
OUT: Hector Bellerin (hamstring), Marc Roca (foot), Diego Llorente (muscle) | QUESTIONABLE: Johnny Cardoso (unknown), Fran Vietes (calf), Giovani Lo Celso (muscle), Youssouf Sabaly (shoulder), Chimy Avila (hamstring)
Chelsea team news, focus
Nicolas Jackson will lead the line and he will be fresh after his recent suspension in the Premier League after picking up a red card at Newcastle. Other forward options are struggling for fitness with Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu doubts, so youngster Tyrique George could get some minutes. We can expect a bit of rotation from Maresca but not much as Chelsea would love to cap off a big step forward this season with a trophy. We should see the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalboah start in this game. Romeo Lavia is ineligible as he was not named in Chelsea’s Conference League squad.
OUT: Aaron Anselmino (thigh), Wesley Fofana (thigh – out for season), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Christopher Nkunku (unknown), Marc Guiu (unknown)
Real Betis vs Chelsea prediction
This seems like it will be very tight and could go to extra time and penalties. Chelsea’s extra bit of quality will probably show, in the end. Real Betis 1-2 Chelsea.
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