In a spectacular display of attacking football, Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG) thrashed Real Madrid 4‑0 in the Club World Cup semifinals at MetLife Stadium. European champions PSG will now face Chelsea in Sunday’s final, marking a chance for their first-ever Club World Cup title.
The Scoreboard
-
Fabián Ruiz – 2 goals (6′, 24′)
-
Ousmane Dembélé – 1 goal (9′)
-
Gonçalo Ramos – 1 goal (87′)
Within 24 minutes, PSG had the game sealed: a brace from Ruiz and a decisive strike by Dembélé left Madrid on the ropes. Ramos added the fourth in the final minutes.
How the Game Unfolded
PSG’s aggressive pressing from the first whistle led to two early goals. An early defensive miscue by Raúl Asencio gifted Ruiz his first strike, soon followed by an error from Antonio Rüdiger allowing Dembélé to double the lead. Ruiz added the third after a fine run and assist from Achraf Hakimi. Madrid never recovered .
Real Madrid, led by new manager Xabi Alonso, struggled to cope defensively and failed to find control in midfield. In an already physical match played under sweltering 33 °C (91 °F) heat and nearly 38 °C (101 °F) humidity, PSG’s intensity didn’t drop. A massive crowd of 77,542 watched on, stunned by the early collapse .
Player Spotlights
-
Fabián Ruiz was named Man of the Match. His calm finishing and smart positioning made the difference .
-
Ousmane Dembélé, enjoying his best season with PSG, scored and assisted in a performance that reflected his 35 goals this term .
-
Achraf Hakimi, energetic and precise, created chances with intelligent runs and timely passes .
On the Madrid side, Thibaut Courtois made early saves but couldn’t stop the tide . Post-game, Courtois apologised to fans and acknowledged the gap in a press interview.
Managerial Reflections
-
Luis Enrique (PSG): Praised the maturity and collective strength of his team, expressing belief in lifting the Club World Cup trophy.
-
Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid): Called it a tough lesson. He said his team is still building, and this result highlights areas for improvement .
Media responses were sharp, with some calling the defeat humiliating for Madrid. But there was consensus that PSG’s system-driven style outclassed Madrid’s more star-dependent setup .
This win caps an extraordinary season for PSG: they clinched the Ligue 1 title, won the Coupe de France, and secured the Champions League with a record 5‑0 win over Inter Milan . Their shift from star‑focused tactics to a cohesive team model under Enrique has paid off handsomely.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are at a new crossroads. With departures like Mbappé and Modrić’s farewell, Alonso is working to forge a fresh identity, but today’s defeat shows the hard work ahead .
What’s Next?
-
PSG vs Chelsea in the final on Sunday will be the big event. PSG are heavy favourites after this form.
-
Real Madrid will return to Spain to regroup and prepare for the new season, using this setback as a catalyst for change.
Final Thoughts
PSG’s 4‑0 thrashing wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of intent and proof of their evolution into a powerful, unified squad. Real Madrid’s challenge now is to rebuild. Neutral fans may be reading for a lesson in strategy over star power, and for the promise of a thrilling Club World Cup final ahead.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
