Chelsea Women crowned a sensational season with a 3–0 victory over Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, completing a stunning English domestic treble in Sonia Bompastor’s debut season as manager.
Baltimore shines at Wembley
French star Sandy Baltimore was the standout performer, scoring twice and assisting the other to seal Chelsea’s dominance.
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She broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time from the penalty spot, then provided the assist for Catarina Macario, whose towering header in the 84th minute put the result beyond doubt. Baltimore capped off a glittering performance with her second goal in added time, turning Lisa Naalsund before smashing home from close range.
United, last season’s FA Cup winners, were outplayed by a Chelsea side that completed the match and the season in imperious fashion.
Chelsea’s invincible season
The West Londoners had already been crowned Women’s Super League champions, going unbeaten across all 22 league matches, a historic first in the competition, en route to their sixth successive league title. They had also lifted the League Cup, making the FA Cup the final piece in a glorious domestic treble.
“To achieve a treble in England, it’s difficult to find the right words to describe that,” said manager Sonia Bompastor in her post-match interview with the BBC.
“It means a lot. I always say I want to make sure, in every club I manage, that we have the right values. I want my players to enjoy it. We worked hard all through the season; it was not easy, and to achieve this will be part of history.”
Cuthbert hails ‘Brilliant Season’
Erin Cuthbert, named Player of the Match, reflected proudly on the team’s success:
“It tops off a brilliant season. I’m so proud of the group. A lot of hard work’s gone into this,” she said.
“To win in the fashion we did, we were holding on a bit at 1–0, but the second goal put the game to bed.”
On Bompastor’s impact since taking over from Emma Hayes, now U.S. Women’s National Team coach, Cuthbert added, “There’s been a lot of change, but you have to embrace it. She’s a manager and a winner, both as a player and a coach, and she’s done a brilliant job since coming in. A treble… what a way to start it!”
Champions League remains elusive
Chelsea’s only disappointment came in Europe, where their dreams of a historic quadruple were dashed by Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, losing 8–2 on aggregate. Despite their domestic dominance, continental glory continues to elude them.
Still, under Bompastor’s early stewardship, Chelsea’s future looks bright, and their 2024–25 season will be remembered as one of the greatest in English women’s football history.
