Paris Saint-Germain delivered a commanding performance to dismantle Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, earning a place in the final against Chelsea.
Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz starred with a brace, while Ousmane Dembélé and Gonçalo Ramos also found the net in a match dominated from start to finish by the French champions at MetLife Stadium.
The clash brought added intrigue with the presence of Kylian Mbappé, facing his former club for the first time since his transfer. However, the forward struggled to influence the game and was largely neutralized by a well-organised PSG defense.
PSG stamped their authority early, with Ruiz and Dembélé both scoring within the opening nine minutes. Ruiz doubled his tally before the break, and Ramos completed the rout with a late goal to underline the team’s attacking depth.
Head coach Luis Enrique hailed the performance as a “special moment” for the club, acknowledging Chelsea as a formidable opponent in the upcoming final but expressing full confidence in his squad’s ability to make history.
Real Madrid, now under the guidance of new manager Xabi Alonso, were thoroughly outplayed in all areas. Alonso admitted his side “fell short” and emphasized the urgent need for improvement.
The Spanish giants were without several key defenders, which left their backline exposed. Their lack of cohesion, combined with Mbappé’s muted return, failed to spark a response.
PSG’s dynamic and coordinated attacking display stood in sharp contrast to Madrid’s disjointed efforts. Though goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several early saves, he was ultimately left helpless against PSG’s relentless pressure.
Dembélé, recently recovered from injury, showcased his world-class potential with both a goal and an assist—further boosting his credentials as a Ballon d’Or contender.
The loss is a significant setback for Real Madrid, who had hoped to claim the newly formatted Club World Cup as another prestigious addition to their trophy cabinet.
PSG, meanwhile, remain on course for a historic treble, having already secured the Ligue 1 title and the UEFA Champions League crown earlier this season.
