PSG Outclasses Real Madrid in Scorching Semifinal
MetLife Stadium turned into a cauldron as Paris Saint-Germain tore apart Real Madrid 4-0 in the Club World Cup semifinals. This emphatic scoreline didn’t just punch PSG’s ticket to the final against Chelsea—it sent a message, especially with Kylian Mbappé leading the charge against the club that once tried to woo him away. Temperatures soared to 91°F (33°C), and with humidity pushing the heat index to 101°F (38°C), both teams had to battle more than each other. But it was the Parisians who looked at home in the oven, dictating the tempo and picking apart Real’s defense.
The match got off to a breakneck start. Just six minutes in, Fabián Ruiz pounced, thanks to a nightmarish sequence involving Real defenders Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger. Their failed clearance left the ball at Ruiz’s feet for an easy opener. Madrid looked rattled and barely had time to reorganize before Ousmane Dembélé exploited yet another error to double PSG’s lead in the 9th minute. The Spanish side’s back line looked frozen, unable to handle PSG’s speed or movement.
That wasn’t the end of it. Before Madrid could regroup, Ruiz struck again in the 24th minute, capping a wild first half where PSG held a staggering 76.5% possession. Every attack from Paris seemed laced with danger, while Real found themselves chasing shadows. For fans, it was hard not to notice echoes of Real Madrid’s infamous 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Inter Milan in the Champions League final—the kind of defeat that leaves scars.
Madrid’s Defensive Nightmares and Veteran Farewells
Real Madrid simply couldn’t get a foothold. The heat, combined with jet lag from tiring travel schedules, seemed to sap their energy. Coach Carlo Ancelotti tried to shake things up in the second half by bringing on Luka Modrić in the 64th minute. The veteran midfielder, a true legend for the club, may have made his final bow in white—if so, it was a tough note to end on. Meanwhile, Éder Militão made his first appearance after a long injury absence, yet even that couldn’t inject resolve into Real’s back line.
The final blow came late. Gonzalo Ramos slammed home PSG’s fourth in the 87th minute, stamping their dominance all over the score sheet. Real’s frustration was obvious in flickering tempers and scattered mistakes. By the referee’s whistle, it was clear this wasn’t just a defeat—it was a real knock to their pride and preparations.
While questions are swirling around how Real Madrid can fix their obvious defensive vulnerabilities and recover for next season, the spotlight is now on PSG. After finally capturing their first European title, they’re hungry for more silverware. Chelsea stands between them and another trophy, but after a performance like this, few would bet against PSG. The Club World Cup final just got a lot more interesting.
