Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique found himself at the center of controversy on Sunday night after a physical altercation during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final saw him seemingly strike Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, overshadowing what was a dominant 3-0 victory by Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Shocking End to a Fiery Final
Chelsea, led by manager Enzo Maresca, secured the Club World Cup title with a commanding performance, but the match took an ugly turn late in the game. Tensions had been simmering throughout, with six yellow cards issued and PSG’s Joao Neves receiving a red card in the 85th minute for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair—an act flagged by VAR.
As the final whistle blew and Chelsea players celebrated, tempers flared between both squads. In the chaos, video footage appears to show Luis Enrique stepping in and striking Joao Pedro, who fell to the ground. The clip has since gone viral across social media platforms.
“The situation should’ve been avoided,” Enrique said post-match. “My intention was clearly to separate the players, not escalate the problem.”
Chelsea Dominate Final, Palmer Stars Again
Despite PSG entering the final with four consecutive clean sheets, Chelsea were relentless from the start. Cole Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a curling shot from outside the box, and just eight minutes later, doubled the lead with a carbon-copy finish from a deep ball.
Palmer then turned provider, slicing open PSG’s defense with a brilliant through ball to João Pedro, who added a classy third with a delicate chip over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PSG looked stunned, unable to cope with Chelsea’s high press and tactical intensity. The halftime whistle offered brief respite, but the second half continued with Chelsea’s control—even as PSG made desperate substitutions.
First-Ever Club World Cup Half-Time Show
History was also made off the pitch as the final featured the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA tournament, with performances by Coldplay, Doja Cat, J Balvin, and Tems electrifying the 70,000+ crowd at MetLife Stadium.
Chelsea’s Season Ends with Silverware
This victory marks Chelsea’s second major trophy of the year, having won the UEFA Conference League in May. It also caps off a dream debut season for Maresca, who has turned a rebuilding side into an international champion.
What’s Next for PSG and Luis Enrique?
While Chelsea bask in glory, PSG and Luis Enrique now face disciplinary review. With video evidence circulating globally, FIFA is expected to open an investigation into the post-match brawl and Enrique’s alleged strike.
Should Enrique face suspension, it could have serious implications for PSG’s domestic and European campaigns moving forward.
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