Paris Saint-Germain delivered a commanding performance to thrash Real Madrid 4-0 and secure a place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, setting up a heavyweight clash against Chelsea on Sunday.
Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz struck twice in the first half, sandwiching a goal by Ousmane Dembele, as PSG dismantled the Spanish giants in front of a largely pro-Madrid crowd of 77,542 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Goncalo Ramos added a late fourth to seal the emphatic victory.
Ruiz opened the scoring in the sixth minute, pouncing on a loose ball after Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had denied Dembele at close range. Just three minutes later, Dembele capitalized on a defensive error to slot in PSG’s second, showcasing his sharp return to form after injury.
“It was turning into a humiliating afternoon for Real,” as the Parisians added a third goal before the half-hour mark. Achraf Hakimi assisted Ruiz for his second, after a sweeping move that caught Madrid’s defense flat-footed.
PSG, who are unbeaten in the tournament and chasing an historic treble after winning Ligue 1 and their first UEFA Champions League title in May, looked a class apart. Luis Enrique’s side previously swept aside Atletico Madrid and thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in the European final, and their momentum continued with a seamless display against Madrid.
The match marked Kylian Mbappe’s first start in the tournament and first appearance against PSG since departing for Real Madrid last year. However, the French star struggled to make an impact as PSG’s cohesion and high pressing stifled Madrid’s attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Gonzalo Garcia.
A day to forget for Madrid was compounded late on when Ramos latched onto a pass from substitute Bradley Barcola, turned sharply, and fired home PSG’s fourth in the 87th minute.
Real Madrid were without suspended centre-back Dean Huijsen and missed the presence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Coach Xabi Alonso, appointed just six weeks ago, admitted the defeat served as a wake-up call for his side, who are still adjusting to a new tactical system.
Despite early saves by Courtois to keep out efforts from Ruiz and Nuno Mendes, PSG’s relentless tempo proved too much. The French champions also had a goal by Desire Doue disallowed for offside, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nearly made it five before the break.
Veteran players Jude Bellingham and Vinicius were substituted just after the hour mark as Alonso appeared to shift focus toward regrouping for the season ahead. The Club World Cup campaign ends in disappointment for Real, who had hoped to add to their record 15 European titles with a first Club World Cup triumph under the expanded 32-team format.
PSG, however, now stand one victory away from completing one of the most successful seasons in club history. A win over Chelsea on Sunday would cap an extraordinary campaign for the Parisians.
