In a highly anticipated clash that felt more like a coronation than a semifinal, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a resounding 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, proving decisively that life after Kylian Mbappe might just be better. The match at MetLife Stadium saw the Parisians dismantle a Real Madrid side that looked utterly lost, setting up a final showdown with Chelsea.
Despite both teams reportedly facing traffic woes arriving at the venue – a rather mundane start for such a significant fixture – it was PSG who quickly hit top gear on the pitch. It took Luis Enrique`s side just six minutes to open the scoring, and they never looked back, punishing every Real Madrid misstep with clinical efficiency. The final scoreline of 4-0 was a fair reflection of PSG`s dominance.
Real Madrid, featuring their marquee summer signing and former PSG talisman, Kylian Mbappe, appeared disjointed and struggled to contain the relentless Parisian attack. While acknowledging some pre-match travel issues and key suspensions on both sides, Madrid`s performance was surprisingly passive. The decision to switch to a back four seemed particularly detrimental, leaving gaps that PSG exploited with ease. Xabi Alonso, in what constitutes his first significant setback as Real Madrid manager, watched his team chase shadows for large portions of the game.
The scoring for PSG began with Fabian Ruiz, who later completed a brace. Sandwiched between his goals was a strike from Ousmane Dembele, who is enjoying a stellar run of form, and who added his name to the scoresheet after dispossessing Antonio Rudiger with remarkable simplicity near the box. By the 24th minute, PSG were already three goals to the good, a lead from which Real Madrid simply had no answer.
This dominant performance speaks volumes about the transformation PSG has undergone under Luis Enrique. Having recently secured their historic first Champions League title, they are playing with supreme confidence and cohesion. The team that once perhaps relied too heavily on the individual brilliance of names like Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar has evolved into a formidable collective unit. They are now just one step away from adding a first Club World Cup title to their rapidly growing list of accolades.
For Real Madrid, this serves as a stark reality check. Alonso has experimented with different tactical setups during this tournament, and the semifinal highlighted that the team appears more comfortable and effective in a back three, which allows players like Francisco Garcia and Trent Alexander-Arnold to contribute more offensively. The back four configuration, at least on this occasion, exposed significant vulnerabilities and didn`t seem to accommodate their attacking options effectively. With potential squad changes on the horizon, including the possible departure of a legend like Luca Modric, this match underlines the tactical and personnel work needed for Real Madrid to bridge the gap to Europe`s current peak.
PSG`s comprehensive victory was not just a win; it was a statement. They humiliated their former star and his new club on a global stage, demonstrating that their era of dependency on a single player is firmly in the past. Now, their focus shifts to the final, where they will face a formidable Chelsea side in a battle for the title of world champions.
Percy Harlow