PSG Crushes Real Madrid 4-0 to Reach FIFA Club World Cup Final

Sports

Paris Saint-Germain delivered a dominant statement on Wednesday night, dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal at MetLife Stadium, eliminating Kylian Mbappe in his first match against his former club.

With temperatures soaring to 33°C (91°F) and a crowd of 77,542 in attendance, PSG wasted no time asserting control. Fabian Ruiz scored twice, while Ousmane Dembélé contributed a goal and an assist, spearheading a blistering first-half performance that saw PSG lead 3-0 inside 24 minutes. Substitute Gonçalo Ramos capped the night with a fourth goal in the 87th minute.

The result sends PSG to the final on Sunday, where they will face Chelsea, champions in 2021. PSG now stands on the brink of becoming the first French club to win the Club World Cup, and has secured between $88.4 million and $113.8 million in earnings for reaching the final.

Mbappé, who scored 256 goals for PSG before his high-profile move to Madrid last year, started the match up front but was shut down completely by PSG’s disciplined defence, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making just two saves and securing his fifth clean sheet of the tournament.

Real Madrid’s sluggish form—following a training stint in Florida—was immediately exposed. Within six minutes, Dembele dispossessed Raul Asencio and squared for Ruiz to fire PSG ahead. Moments later, Dembele doubled the lead himself, capitalizing on a defensive error by Antonio Rüdiger to beat Thibaut Courtois at the near post.

PSG’s third goal was a showcase of precision counterattacking football. After Mbappé’s third shot was blocked, Achraf Hakimi raced down the right flank on a give-and-go with Dembele before crossing for Ruiz to tap in his second goal of the evening.

Real Madrid, missing Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury, never recovered. Just weeks after falling 5-0 to PSG in the Champions League final, Inter Milan’s fate was mirrored by Madrid, who struggled with just 23.5 percent first-half possession.

Now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s final. Chelsea vs PSG, a clash of European giants, with history and glory on the line. For PSG, it’s a shot at redemption and the opportunity to bring Club World Cup glory to France for the first time.