Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning and ruthless performance, dismantling Real Madrid with a resounding 4-0 victory in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal. The European champions asserted their dominance from the outset, leaving Real Madrid, and their star forward Kylian Mbappé, utterly humiliated as they cruised into the final where they will face Chelsea.
A First-Half Blitz: Madrid’s Defense Crumbles
Luis Enrique’s PSG side wasted no time in making their intentions clear. Just six minutes into the match, Fabián Ruiz pounced on a defensive error from Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio to slot home the opener. The early goal rattled Xabi Alonso’s men, and their woes were compounded just three minutes later when Ousmane Dembélé capitalized on another defensive lapse, this time from Antonio Rüdiger, to double PSG’s lead.
The Parisians continued their relentless assault, and in the 24th minute, Fabián Ruiz bagged his second of the night, finishing off a scintillating team move. By the half-hour mark, PSG were 3-0 up, a lead that reflected their complete control and Madrid’s surprising disarray.
Mbappé Muted, Alonso Left Searching for Answers
Much of the pre-match narrative revolved around Kylian Mbappé facing his former club, Real Madrid, for the first time since his high-profile move. However, the French superstar was largely ineffective, struggling to make an impact against a well-drilled PSG defense. Despite starting, Mbappé was substituted in the 71st minute, a clear sign of his frustrating evening.
For Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, who only recently took the helm, this defeat served as a stark reality check. His side looked disjointed, particularly in defense, and failed to cope with PSG’s high press and fluid attacking play. Alonso acknowledged the significant gap between the two teams, stating that Real Madrid has “a lot of work to do to reach their level.”
A Statement Victory for PSG
PSG’s performance was a true statement of intent. Having already secured the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League this season, they showed immense hunger and quality. Their clinical finishing, coupled with Real Madrid’s uncharacteristic errors, led to a result that was both comprehensive and emphatic.
The victory marks PSG’s fifth consecutive clean sheet in knockout ties across all competitions, showcasing their defensive solidity in addition to their attacking prowess.
Modrić Bids Farewell
Amidst the disappointing result for Real Madrid, the match also marked an emotional occasion as veteran midfielder Luka Modrić made his final appearance for the club after 13 illustrious years. He received a warm ovation from the crowd at MetLife Stadium, a poignant moment despite the heavy defeat.
Final Showdown Awaits
With this dominant semi-final win, Paris Saint-Germain will now face Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, July 13th, at the same MetLife Stadium. PSG, brimming with confidence and in scintillating form, will be strong favorites to add yet another piece of silverware to their historic season. For Real Madrid, the focus will now shift to learning from this humbling defeat and rebuilding for the future.
