Luis Enrique regrets ‘avoidable’ scuffle with Joao Pedro

Chelsea shocked the European champions 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium after an incredible performance from Cole Palmer, who scored twice and assisted the other.

He became just the second Chelsea player to directly contribute to three goals in a major final since 2013-14, matching Eden Hazard’s two goals and one assist against Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League final.

And with Didier Drogba’s brace against the Gunners in the 2007 EFL Cup final, Palmer is just the third Blues player to score twice in a final this century.

Following the full-time whistle, Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi were in a heated argument with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos.

Luis Enrique got involved in the scuffle and raised his hands to Joao Pedro’s face, with the Brazilian hitting the deck in response.

The PSG head coach regretted the altercation and hopes to avoid similar situations in the future.

“At the end of the match, there was a situation that I believe could have been avoided by everyone," Luis Enrique said in his post-match press conference.

“My objective and my intention, as always, is to try to win over the players so that there are no more problems. Internally, there is a lot of tension, a lot of pressure.

“And from there, there is a series of shoves from a lot of people, which I think we should all avoid and which should not happen again.”

Two goals and an assist in the #FIFACWC Final.Cole Palmer things. pic.twitter.com/sJZUD2L76n

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 13, 2025

Palmer scored twice in an eight-minute spell in the first half before assisting Joao Pedro for Chelsea’s third just ahead of the break.

PSG, who were reduced to 10 men after Joao Neves pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair, were heavy favourites heading into the final after big wins over Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in the tournament.

“Football - that's the way it is. Can't explain everything," said Luis Enrique.