Real Betis 1-4 Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea launched a stunning second-half comeback to stun Real Betis and win the 2025 Europa Conference League.
The Europa Conference League 2025 betting odds made Chelsea the favourites to win the tournament from the outset, but Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini had other plans, and for an hour his team were in the driving seat. This was Betis’ first final in European competition and they set about their opponents quickly as Abde Ezzalzouli gave Los Verdiblancos an early lead.
But Pellegrini’s former assistant Maresca made changes at half time and boy did that do the trick. Enzo Fernandez header the equaliser on 65 minutes and five later Nicolas Jackson made it 2-1, before Jadon Sancho made the game safe with a sensational strike. And a comprehensive win turned into a second-half rout as Moises Caicedo scored a fourth in injury time.
Highlights of the game
Real Betis had a day more to prepare for this final, having drawn 1-1 with Valencia on Friday night and rested some players, while Chelsea had a crunch Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday which they won 1-0 to secure their top five place. And the pace of the Spaniards’ start caught the Blues on the hop as Ezzalzouli left Malo Gusto in his wake before chipping a cross towards Antony whose looping header sailed over the bar. But Chelsea were still adjusting to the tempo of the game when keeper Filip Jorgensen was picking the ball out of the net. The excellent Isco found Ezzalzouli with a clever ball and the striker finished coolly, low into the far corner.
The Miejski Stadium in Wroclaw was a sea of green and white with Betis fans vastly outnumbering the Londoners and their team was certainly not in Poland to defend, as they continued to throw men forward, with Ezzalzouli continuing to torment the Blues defence. And the La Liga side should have doubled their lead when he beat Gusto again before squaring for Youssouf Sabaly but the fullback fired over from ten yards with the goal at his mercy. The experienced Isco was too much for the Chelsea defence too and Caicedo resorted to chopping him down as the Blues battled to stay in the game until the break.
At half time Maresca replaced the ravaged Gusto with club captain Reece James and, on 52 minutes the Premier League side had some respite when Ezzalzouli picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Jesus Rodriguez. Within five minutes James had a chance but his effort was blocked by Pablo Fornals; and then Nicolas Jackson had a shot but Betis keeper Adrian collected comfortably.
This was much better from Chelsea though and, midway through the second half they were level as Cole Palmer sent in a perfect cross, splitting two defenders and Enzo met it with a firm header which beat Adrian all ends up. And five minutes later the Blues were ahead as Palmer again worked his magic, jinking this way and that down the right wing, before crossing for Jackson who bundled the ball over the line.
Jackson had a wonderful chance to finish the game, on 77 minutes, with a one on one with Adrian, but he took a heavy touch and the Betis keeper cleared. But Chelsea soon got their third when Jadon Sancho scored the goal of the game, cutting in and curling a beauty beyond Adrian and into the net. And when Caicedo fired home the fourth the celebrations kicked off in West London.
Key statistics
In my SBOTOP preview of this final I backed the Blues to win in 90 minutes but the evidence of the first 45 made me think again, as Betis dominated the Europa Conference League 2025 highlights with an attacking display full of menace. While Chelsea bossed possession the Spaniards were more potent with seven shots to four and two to one on target. The Blues fought back in a devastating second half and ended up wit seven shots on target to Betis’ three.
Spanish teams (including the national team) have been in 27 finals since 2002 and have, incredibly, won all 27. Sadly for Betis, they couldn’t do their bit in their first final.
What’s next?
Next season Chelsea are in the Champions League while Betis have qualified for the 2025/26 Europa League, thanks to their sixth placed position in La Liga and they will both look to strengthen in the summer to make an assault on the top four places in the Premier League and Primera Division next term.
They both deserve a couple of weeks off before pre-season starts, but there will be no rest for some as the Nations League games, and other internationals, are back next week. And this weekend we have the small matter of the Champions League final to look forward to as Paris Saint-Germain seek a first European crown against Inter Milan, who are hoping to make it four.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
