PSG Crush Madrid, Will Meet Chelsea in Club World Cup Final

PSG thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Club World Cup semifinal to set up a final clash with Chelsea, moving one win away from a historic quadruple this season.

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PratidinTime Sports Desk
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PSG Crush Madrid, Will Meet Chelsea in Club World Cup Final

Wearing their signature blue, red, and white, Paris Saint-Germain fans were vastly outnumbered in the stands at MetLife Stadium. But while Real Madrid’s white shirts dominated the crowd—making up nearly 95%—it was the PSG faithful behind the goal who never stopped cheering, their voices rising above the summer heat and the stunned silence of Los Blancos supporters.

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In a jaw-dropping 4–0 demolition of European giants Real Madrid in the semifinal of the first-ever expanded FIFA Club World Cup, PSG announced themselves as the team to beat in global football. With this, they move within touching distance of a historic quadruple, having already secured the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League this season.

Dominance from the First Whistle

The French champions came out blazing and never looked back. Midfielder Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in just the 6th minute, capitalizing on Madrid’s sloppy backline. Ousmane Dembélé, returning to the starting XI for the first time since suffering a quadriceps strain in early June, struck again just three minutes later after a defensive blunder by Raúl Asencio. Ruiz then doubled his tally in the 24th minute, finishing off a devastating counterattack to make it 3–0 before the half-hour mark.

Gonçalo Ramos added the final nail with a cool finish in the 87th minute, sealing a victory that was as emphatic as it was historic.

A Shift in Global Power

In years past, PSG had been a club known more for marquee signings than for collective achievement. Big names like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé brought flash, but the elusive Champions League crown always remained out of reach—until this season.

Now, under the steady guidance of coach Luis Enrique, appointed in July 2023, PSG are rewriting the narrative. The team’s cohesion, depth, and relentless pressing have turned them into a juggernaut. Their performance against Real Madrid was nothing short of a statement.

“We’ve all made history—the players, staff, directors, fans, everyone,” said Enrique, speaking through an interpreter after the game. “This team has become more than a collection of stars. It is a collective machine.”

Trophy Count and Stats That Stun

This victory marked PSG’s sixth consecutive win in the Club World Cup, with a staggering 16–1 goal difference across the tournament. The French side has scored through a wide array of players: three goals from Ruiz, two apiece from Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, and João Neves, and one each from Désiré Doué, Lee Kang-in, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Senny Mayulu, Ramos, and Vitinha.

Against Madrid, PSG completed 631 passes to their opponent’s 255 and held 67% of the possession, rising to over 76% in the first half—a complete tactical masterclass. The Spanish side, with their 15 European and five world titles, were utterly outplayed.

“It’s a painful defeat. We weren’t up to the standard today,” admitted Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso.

From Star Power to Team Power

The triumph is even more symbolic considering PSG’s journey. When Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011, the club was trophy-hungry and ambitious but still far from Europe's elite. They’ve since won 11 of the last 13 Ligue 1 titles but always fell short in continental competitions—until this year.

Despite not having the global shirt sales of Manchester United, Liverpool, or Real Madrid, and without a single globally marketed name on the back of their jerseys this season, PSG is filling up the trophy cabinet at Parc des Princes like never before.

“The players are young, hungry, and working together. That’s what makes the difference,” said Ruiz. “We’re enjoying it, but we know we have one more game to make history.”

One Step from Immortality

Now, only Chelsea stands between PSG and a record-breaking fourth major title of the season. Sunday’s final (July 13) could be the crowning moment of a campaign that has already redefined what the club stands for: less flash, more fight; less ego, more unity.

Dembélé, this season’s Ligue 1 Golden Boot winner with 21 goals, has become the beating heart of Enrique’s system, and his timely return from injury could be decisive. “This is the first match we could use Usman like a normal player again,” Enrique said. “He’s been the best player this season by a long way.”

The Rise of a New Empire?

Real Madrid, with its legacy built during the Galácticos era and reign of Cristiano Ronaldo, may still be football’s most glamorous name. But in this era, it’s PSG who are playing the best football—and winning the biggest games.

With one more victory, Paris Saint-Germain will not just win another title. They’ll win validation for a philosophy shift, a team-first evolution years in the making.

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