PSG Crush Real Madrid 4-0 to Reach FIFA Club World Cup Final
East Rutherford, New Jersey – Paris Saint-Germain delivered a masterclass performance on Wednesday night, dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal at MetLife Stadium. The emphatic victory sets up a championship clash with Chelsea as the French giants continue their quest for global dominance.
Ruiz Shines in PSG’s Dominant Display
Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz emerged as the star of the match, netting two goals in a commanding performance that left the Spanish champions reeling. The 28-year-old playmaker opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a precise finish, then doubled PSG’s advantage just before halftime with a clinical strike from the edge of the box.
“Fabian was magnificent tonight,” said PSG manager Luis Enrique. “His technical quality and understanding of space caused Madrid constant problems. This is exactly why we brought him to Paris.”
Mbappe’s Emotional Return Against Former Suitors
The match marked Kylian Mbappe’s first encounter with Real Madrid since his dramatic decision to extend his PSG contract rather than join the Spanish giants. While the French superstar didn’t find the scoresheet, his movement and link-up play were instrumental in creating opportunities for his teammates.
“It was a special game for me, of course,” Mbappe admitted post-match. “But the most important thing was the team performance. We showed why we’re European champions.”
Second Half Onslaught Seals Victory
PSG continued their dominance after the break, with Goncalo Ramos adding a third goal in the 63rd minute. The Portuguese striker capitalized on a defensive error to slot home from close range, celebrating enthusiastically with young French midfielder Senny Mayulu.
The rout was completed in the 78th minute when substitute Marco Asensio fired past Andriy Lunin to make it 4-0, sending the PSG supporters in the 82,500-capacity stadium into raptures.
Defensive Woes for Ancelotti’s Side
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was left to rue his team’s defensive frailties: “We were second best in every department tonight. PSG were sharper, hungrier, and more clinical. We must learn from this.”
The Spanish giants struggled to contain PSG’s attacking trio throughout the match, with veteran defender Nacho particularly exposed against Mbappe’s pace and trickery.
Road to the Final
PSG’s comprehensive victory sets up a tantalizing final against Chelsea on Saturday. The English side overcame South American champions Flamengo 2-1 in the other semifinal earlier in the week.
“Chelsea are a strong team with great European pedigree,” warned Enrique. “We’ll need another complete performance to lift this trophy.”
Historical Context
The expanded 32-team Club World Cup format has drawn criticism from some quarters, but PSG’s dominant display against traditional European powerhouses Real Madrid suggests the competition’s quality is rising. A victory in the final would cap a remarkable season for the Parisians, who claimed their second Champions League title in May.
For Real Madrid, the heavy defeat represents their worst result in Club World Cup history and raises questions about their ability to compete with Europe’s elite following several high-profile departures last summer.
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