Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning performance at the MetLife Stadium, overwhelming Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.
The contest was effectively over within the first half-hour as the Champions League winners dismantled the Spanish giants, securing a dominant 4-0 victory.
The scoring barrage began in just the sixth minute when Fabian Ruiz capitalized on a significant error from Real defender Raul Asencio, tapping in the opener.
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This goal came after the referee allowed play to continue despite a foul by Thibaut Courtois on Ousmane Dembele. French winger Ousmane Dembele then quickly doubled PSG’s lead three minutes later, calmly finishing after a mis-kick from Antonio Rudiger.
Ruiz continued his impactful display by slotting home PSG’s third goal, the culmination of a fantastic give-and-go with Achraf Hakimi and Dembele.
Real Madrid, who were notably missing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, offered very little in response to PSG’s relentless attack. Goncalo Ramos sealed the emphatic victory with a late fourth goal, putting the final touches on a truly dominant performance by the Parisian side.
While Ruiz bagged a brace, his midfield partners were equally outstanding, contributing significantly to PSG’s control of the game. Real’s defense simply couldn’t cope with the pace and precision of PSG’s front three, nor the constant threat posed by Achraf Hakimi bombing forward from right-back.
A Tearful Farewell for Luka Modric
The match also marked an emotional occasion for Real Madrid fans as legendary 39-year-old Croatian midfielder Luka Modric made his 597th and final appearance for the club. A true stalwart of the Real Madrid midfield for over a decade, Modric will now be joining AC Milan. His departure signals the end of an era for the Spanish club.
PSG Thriving Post-Mbappe While Real Madrid Struggle
Intriguingly, PSG’s all-time top scorer, Kylian Mbappe, was on the pitch to witness this masterclass, albeit as a Real Madrid player. Since his free transfer to Madrid a year ago, PSG has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into a vastly improved team. They are now on the verge of securing the Club World Cup, which would be their fourth trophy of 2025 (or fifth if you include France’s version of the Community Shield).
Conversely, despite a combined 48 goals and assists from Mbappe for Real Madrid in the 2024-25 season, his new club has ended the campaign without a single trophy, highlighting the struggles they’ve faced since his arrival.
Looking Ahead: Finals and New Seasons
Paris Saint-Germain will now face Chelsea in Sunday’s final, which will also take place in New Jersey. They have a challenging schedule ahead, with back-to-back games against London sides as they kick off their 2025/26 season with the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham on August 13.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will not be in action again until their opening La Liga game, currently scheduled to be at home to Osasuna on August 19. That being said, the club is reportedly attempting to get this game postponed to allow their players a longer break after a disappointing end to their season.