Chelsea Outclass Real Betis in Europa Conference League Final; Sancho Earns Special Praise
Chelsea delivered a commanding performance to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, overcoming an early setback after Betis took the lead. Despite trailing initially, Chelsea dominated the second half, scoring four times to clinch the title.
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini lamented the outcome, particularly given his side’s promising first-half display. However, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca’s second-half changes proved decisive in turning the match around.
The victory marks a milestone for Chelsea, who have now won every major European competition. The moment was especially memorable for veteran defender Thiago Silva, whose celebration thrilled fans.
Following the match, Real Betis centre-back Marc Bartra singled out Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho for his standout performance. In an interview with Marca, Bartra dismissed the hype around Cole Palmer, saying, “Sancho was actually the one who gave us the most trouble. He deserves more credit.”
Sancho, who started the match on the bench, made a big impact after coming on. He scored Chelsea’s third goal with a superb strike into the top corner, reigniting talks about his future. Former England star Joe Cole has since called on Chelsea to make Sancho’s loan from Manchester United permanent.
Reece James also made a significant impact off the bench, helping Chelsea assert control and seal the win.
Although Sancho’s season at Chelsea has had highs and lows—tallying 5 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances—his decisive performance in the final has boosted his profile. His revival at Stamford Bridge could lead to a permanent move, which many fans would likely welcome.
