PSG Defeats Real Madrid to Reach Club World Cup Final

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reached the FIFA Club World Cup final by defeating Real Madrid with a massive 4-0 scoreline. The French Ligue 1 club will face English Premier League side Chelsea in the title-deciding match scheduled for next Sunday (July 13).

This match was particularly significant for Kylian Mbappé, as it was his first time playing against his former club PSG while wearing the Real Madrid jersey. However, the French star probably never imagined that he would suffer such a heavy defeat against his former team after a turbulent departure.

The match took place on Wednesday night (July 9) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Fabian Ruiz scored twice for PSG. Additionally, Ousmane Dembélé and Gonzalo Ramos each contributed a goal.

From the very start, PSG dominated the game. Within the first 9 minutes, PSG took advantage of two defensive errors by Real Madrid to go ahead 2-0. In the 6th minute, a poor ball control by Raúl Asensio allowed Dembélé to receive the ball. Though his first shot was saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Fabian Ruiz scored on the rebound into an empty net. Just three minutes later, Dembélé exploited a poor pass from Antonio Rüdiger, entered the penalty area, and finished perfectly past Courtois.

Fabian Ruiz scored again in the 24th minute. Receiving a pass from Achraf Hakimi on the right side, the Spanish midfielder fooled Real Madrid's defense and scored from close range. Substitute Gonzalo Ramos sealed Real Madrid’s defeat with a goal in the 87th minute. Real Madrid was never able to create any attacking threat during the match.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s tactical failure was clearly reflected in the match outcome. Due to suspensions and injuries to key defenders Dean Huissen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alonso abandoned his effective five-man defense and reverted to a four-man backline, which proved very weak against PSG’s attacks.

Last month, PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final. Maintaining that impressive form, they played aggressively against Real Madrid from the beginning and dominated throughout. PSG had also beaten Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup round of 16.