Not only did the PSG-Chelsea match not go as planned in the Club World Cup final, but neither did the postgame handshake line. Tempers flared as Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique struck Chelsea player João Pedro amid the postgame tension between the two teams.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also got involved and had to be restrained as Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca attempted to deescalate the situation. There was reason for Enrique to be frustrated after losing out on a sizable Club World Cup purse while being dominated 3-nil by Chelsea.
For winning the Club World Cup, Chelsea won a sizable $40 million check just for the victory, per Front Office Sports. PSG still earned $30 million as the runner-up for the tournament. Chelsea receives a total of $110 million for their Club World Cup performance, including the sizable check for winning the trophy.
Here is a look at the unfortunate incident between Enrique and Pedro that has fans buzzing.
Chelsea Was a Sizable Underdog vs. PSG in the Club World Cup Final Odds
Prior to the underwhelming performance versus Chelsea, PSG had dominated the majority of the Club World Cup matches. Heading into the final, Chelsea was a +370 underdog versus PSG, per CBS Sports. PSG was a massive -350 favorite heading into the final versus Chelsea.
It was not all bad for Pedro, who scored a goal against PSG. It marked the third goal in the last two matches for the new Chelsea striker.
Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca on PSG: ‘I Agree With Most of the People When They Say That They Are the Best Team in Europe’
Cole Palmer was the standout player of the match, posting two goals in the final. Chelsea now heads into the Premier League season with a bit of momentum on their side after defeating the defending Champions League winner. Prior to the match, Maresca had nothing but praise for PSG as the “best team in Europe.”
“I agree with most of the people when they say that they are the best team in Europe, the best team in the world,” Maresca said, per OneFootball.com. “The reason why is because they are showing this.
“They’re showing it in France, they’re showing it in the Champions League, they are showing it in this competition. We have maximum respect for them. I said in my last press conference that I really enjoy watching them, but at the same time, we are here to try to do our best and to win the final.”
The PSG manager could be in HUGE trouble! 😱
There had been some debate as to just how serious the European teams would take the Club World Cup, especially after a long season. As the tournament progressed, the matches appeared to heat up as well, generating packed stadiums for the top games.
“We are very happy and very proud to play the final,” Maresca noted, per Chelsea’s official website. “The reason why is that this is the Club World Cup, the best clubs in the world are here. So for us to be there [in the final] on Sunday is something we have to be proud and happy about.”
PSG Manager Luis Enrique Strikes Chelsea’s João Pedro in Club World Cup Chaos