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In a performance that will echo across European football, Paris Saint-Germain dismantled Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, taking a commanding step into the final where they will face Chelsea. The emphatic win at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was not only a statement of intent but a symbol of a new PSG era—one flourishing without its former talisman Kylian Mbappe, who endured a torrid night against his former club.
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Fabian Ruiz, the architect of PSG’s midfield dominance, netted twice, while Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos added a goal each in a display of ruthless attacking efficiency. The performance left Real Madrid—the 15-time European champions—shell-shocked and exposed, with PSG’s fluidity, pace, and precision proving far too much for a disjointed Madrid side under Xabi Alonso.
Early Blitz Silences Madrid Faithful
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. Just six minutes in, Dembele punished Madrid’s hesitant defending to force a save from Thibaut Courtois, only for Ruiz to smash home the rebound and open the scoring.
Madrid barely had time to regroup before Dembele, capitalizing on a shocking error by Antonio Rudiger, sprinted through to calmly slot PSG’s second into the bottom corner just three minutes later. The French forward, often overshadowed by his friend Mbappe in the past, showcased the kind of form that has made him a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or. It was his 34th goal of the season—a testament to his evolution under Luis Enrique.
By the ninth minute, Madrid found themselves 2-0 down and rattled. The midfield trio of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Fede Valverde struggled to contain Ruiz, whose movement and distribution cut Madrid open repeatedly.
A Tale of Two Clubs
The contrast between the two sides was stark. PSG, operating with seamless coordination and tactical discipline, looked every bit the finished product. Luis Enrique’s blueprint—built on technical midfield control, blistering wing play, and a high defensive line—has matured into a juggernaut that seems destined for global dominance.
Madrid, on the other hand, looked lost. Despite the return of Kylian Mbappe—his first start of the tournament following illness—the Spanish giants lacked spark, structure, and spirit. Mbappe, so often the game-changer, was a shadow of the player who scored 256 goals for PSG during his six-year spell in the French capital. Boos from some PSG supporters in the crowd punctuated his every touch, and his frustration grew with each failed attempt to influence the game.
Ruiz Doubles Up, PSG in Cruise Control
If there was any lingering doubt over the outcome, it was erased in the 34th minute. After a period of PSG possession that left Madrid chasing shadows, Achraf Hakimi burst down the right flank, cut the ball back, and found Ruiz at the top of the box. With grace and poise, the Spaniard controlled the ball and held off Valverde before drilling a composed finish past Courtois for his second goal.
Madrid had yet to register a meaningful shot on target.
There was a brief glimmer of hope just before the half-time whistle, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nearly added a fourth for PSG, only to see his curling effort sail narrowly wide. Desire Doue then had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second half, but the tone of the match was already set.
Alonso’s Real Crumble
Real Madrid’s coach Xabi Alonso, heralded for his tactical acumen at Bayer Leverkusen, now faces serious questions. Despite a talented squad, Real appeared disorganized and toothless, with key players—Vinicius Jr., Bellingham, and Mbappe—all failing to make their mark.
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By the 65th minute, Alonso appeared to wave the white flag, substituting both Vinicius and Bellingham. It was a symbolic moment: the surrender of a side that had come into the tournament with high hopes of claiming the first 32-team FIFA Club World Cup.
Madrid had romped through the earlier rounds, but their limitations were brutally exposed by PSG’s clinical edge. The Spanish outfit, who once dominated the European landscape, now appear to be in transition—caught between rebuilding and expectation.
Ramos Adds the Final Blow
As the match neared its end, PSG refused to relent. In the 87th minute, substitute Bradley Barcola slipped a well-weighted pass into the feet of Goncalo Ramos, who turned deftly in the box and smashed home the fourth goal. It was a just reward for the Portuguese striker, whose movement troubled Madrid’s tired defense throughout the second half.
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The goal capped a near-perfect performance for the Parisians and underlined their depth: even their bench players are capable of contributing at the highest level.
A Team Reborn
It would have been easy to assume PSG might struggle following the departure of Kylian Mbappe. Instead, they have evolved. The club that once relied heavily on individual brilliance now thrives on collective quality.
Players like Ruiz, Dembele, Hakimi, Donnarumma, and Mendes have stepped up to define a team-first mentality that is now paying massive dividends. Their route to the final has included dominant wins over Atletico Madrid (4-1), Bayern Munich (3-2), and now Real Madrid (4-0)—a who’s who of European royalty.
Even the absence of Willian Pacho, suspended after his red card against Bayern, did little to disrupt PSG’s rhythm. Lucas Beraldo seamlessly filled in at center-back, while midfield anchor Warren Zaïre-Emery continued to show maturity beyond his years.
Final Awaits: PSG vs Chelsea
The reward for their efforts is a blockbuster Club World Cup Final showdown with Chelsea on Sunday. Chelsea, who edged past Manchester City in a thrilling semi-final, will present a unique challenge, but based on current form, PSG must be considered favorites.
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Victory would cap an extraordinary campaign: Ligue 1 champions, UEFA Champions League winners, and potentially world champions. Luis Enrique’s men are 90 minutes away from sealing the greatest season in the club’s history.
Mbappe’s Nightmare Return
For Mbappe, this was a night to forget. His first game against his old club ended in humiliation, and questions will be raised about his decision to swap Paris for Madrid. While few doubt his talent, his inability to influence the game—and the clear gulf between the two teams—will sting.
Once the hero of PSG, he now finds himself on the receiving end of their most dominant victory on the global stage.
Conclusion
Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid will go down as one of the most iconic performances in Club World Cup history. It was a match that showcased the dawn of a new footballing superpower—a PSG no longer chasing greatness, but commanding it.
As they prepare to face Chelsea, all eyes will be on Luis Enrique’s side to see if they can complete the treble. Based on this performance, few would bet against them.
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