The historic year of football 2025: A review of the epic finals

The year 2025 concluded with a series of emotionally charged international football finals, where PSG, Tottenham, and Chelsea made historic milestones, clearly illustrating the transformation of European football.

The year 2025 left a remarkable mark in the history of world football, as a series of major international club finals delivered shocking results. From the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League to the FIFA Club World Cup, these matches not only decided the champions but also opened new chapters for many top European clubs.

UEFA Champions League Final 2024/25: Paris Saint-Germain 5–0 Inter Milan

The 2024/25 Champions League final witnessed one of the most surprising results in the tournament's history. Paris Saint-Germain crushed Inter Milan 5–0, achieving the largest winning margin ever recorded in a European Cup final.

PSG took control early when Achraf Hakimi scored in the 12th minute assisted by Désiré Doué. Just eight minutes later, Doué himself found the net, before completing his brace in the 63rd minute. Between these highlights, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (73’) and Senny Mayulu (86’) also scored, concluding a flawless performance by the French side.

Beyond the record scoreline, this match marked PSG’s inaugural European crown after years of chasing the Champions League title. Notably, PSG’s starting lineup was on average more than five years younger than Inter’s, a factor considered key to their superior pace and stamina.

UEFA Europa League Final 2024/25: Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 Manchester United

In contrast to the goal-fest of the Champions League, the 2024/25 Europa League final was tense and tightly contested until the very end. Tottenham edged out Manchester United 1–0 to claim the trophy.

The only goal came from Brennan Johnson in the 42nd minute, assisted by Pape Matar Sarr. This strike was enough for Spurs to maintain their lead throughout the second half and secure a valuable victory.

The 2025 Europa League title was Tottenham’s third in this competition, ending nearly 17 years without a major trophy. The victory in Bilbao also earned Spurs a spot in the 2025/26 Champions League season.

UEFA Conference League Final 2024/25: Chelsea 4–1 Real Betis

Chelsea staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in Conference League history by defeating Real Betis 4–1 despite trailing in the first half.

The Spanish side opened the scoring early through Abde Ezzalzouli in the 9th minute. However, the turning point came after halftime when Cole Palmer exploded with two consecutive assists, enabling Chelsea to score twice within five minutes.

Following that, Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo each found the net, turning the final into a one-sided affair. This victory made Chelsea the first club in history to win every major European trophy. Additionally, it was the highest-scoring Conference League final since the competition’s inception.

FIFA Club World Cup Final 2025: Chelsea 3–0 PSG

In the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, Chelsea reaffirmed their top status by beating PSG 3–0. The standout player was Cole Palmer, who scored twice and provided an assist.

Chelsea’s three goals came in the 22nd, 30th, and 43rd minutes, giving the English club a comfortable lead by halftime. PSG faced further difficulties after receiving a red card in the 85th minute, sealing Chelsea’s dominant display.

This title completed Chelsea’s sweep of international trophies in 2025, marking a brilliantly successful era in the club’s history.

The year 2025 is regarded as a landmark for international club football. PSG won the Champions League for the first time with a historic victory over Inter Milan. Tottenham ended their trophy drought by lifting the Europa League. Meanwhile, Chelsea achieved a feat by capturing all major international titles within a single year.

These finals were not only the pinnacle of silverware but also clearly reflected strategic shifts, a new generation of players, and the changing power dynamics of European football in 2025.