PSG Dominates Real Madrid in Stunning Club World Cup Semifinal

Paris Saint-Germain delivers a decisive 4-0 victory, exposing Real Madrid’s weaknesses in a one-sided match.

In a stunning display of dominance, Paris Saint-Germain dismantled Real Madrid with a resounding 4-0 victory in the Club World Cup semifinal. The match, anticipated as a clash of titans, quickly became a one-sided affair, highlighting deep flaws in the Madrid squad.

Early Onslaught

Right from the kickoff, PSG asserted their control. Within the first five minutes, they threatened to score twice, only to be denied by Thibaut Courtois. However, the Madrid goalkeeper’s resistance was short-lived.

Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the 6th minute, followed quickly by Ousmane Dembélé in the 9th, capitalizing on a Madrid mistake. Ruiz then added another goal in the 24th minute, prompting many Real Madrid fans to head for the exits.

The return of Kylian Mbappé was meant to boost Real Madrid, but the team looked outmatched by the reigning champions of Europe. PSG relentlessly pinned them back, exploiting their lack of focus and intensity.

Tactical Breakdown

Ruiz proved a constant threat, repeatedly finding space in the penalty area. His near-miss in the fourth minute was a sign of things to come, foreshadowing Madrid’s defensive struggles.

The left side of Madrid’s defense, featuring Raúl Asencio and Fran Garcia, struggled to contain the dynamic combination of Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Désiré Doué, and Dembélé. Their inability to cope highlighted an unbalanced squad.

PSG’s coordinated pressing, spearheaded by a returning Dembélé, caused significant problems for Antonio Rüdiger. The veteran defender’s misstep in the 9th minute allowed Dembélé to further punish Madrid.

All three first-half goals stemmed from PSG’s right flank, exposing Madrid’s vulnerability. A series of quick passes led to the third goal, illustrating the team’s openness.

Complete Domination

Nuno Mendes played a crucial role, dominating the left side. He consistently disrupted Real Madrid’s plays, even tracking back to challenge Vinicius Jr.

In the second half, PSG eased off, substituting Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Despite the changes, they continued to control the game, conserving energy for the final against Chelsea. According to recent data, PSG has maintained a possession rate of over 60% in their last five matches, underscoring their tactical command (SofaScore 2024).

Goncalo Ramos scored a fourth goal late in the game, further demoralizing Real Madrid. With no added stoppage time, the referee signaled the end of the match, confirming Real Madrid’s exit from the competition.

Final Blow

Real Madrid, despite their star power, fell short, failing to reach the Club World Cup final. PSG, with their superior tactics and execution, secured a well-deserved victory and look forward to facing Chelsea in the final.