Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. The win propels PSG into the final, where they will face Chelsea on March 15, 2025.
Two goals from Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz and another from Ousmane Dembélé in the first half established a dominant lead for PSG. In the final minutes, Gonçalo Ramos capped off the performance with a fourth goal, delighting the crowd of 77,542 fans under the sweltering heat of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
PSG’s manager, Luis Enrique, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, highlighting the significance of reaching the final for everyone associated with the club. “It is a very special moment for us, Parisians, for all the supporters, the entire club,” he said. “We want to win this final. Everyone saw the stifling heat; we kept playing and fighting.”
The semifinal showcased a clash between two giants of European football, with much attention on Kylian Mbappé, who was facing his former club for the first time. Unfortunately for Real Madrid, defensive errors proved crucial early in the match. In the sixth minute, Raúl Asencio, substituting for the suspended Dean Huijsen, mishandled the ball in his penalty area. This allowed Dembélé to intercept, leading to a foul by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Ruiz capitalized on the situation, scoring the first goal after the referee played advantage.
Things deteriorated for Madrid just three minutes later when defender Antonio Rüdiger miscontrolled the ball, enabling Dembélé to break free and score PSG’s second goal. Despite the early setbacks, Real Madrid attempted to regroup and create chances but struggled to penetrate a resolute PSG defense, which was missing key players Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, both suspended.
PSG’s relentless attack paid off again in the 24th minute with a well-executed passing move that left Achraf Hakimi to assist Ruiz for his second goal. Throughout the match, PSG demonstrated the same electric form that led them to victory in the UEFA Champions League, maintaining their streak of six consecutive wins without conceding a goal. Dembélé’s goal marked his 35th of the season, positioning him as a frontrunner for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
As the match drew to a close, Ramos added one final flourish, scoring PSG’s fourth goal with a swift counterattack. His celebration paid tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident the previous week.
PSG now stands on the brink of capping off a remarkable season with another trophy. Midfielder Senny Mayulu expressed the team’s determination, stating, “It’s a source of pride to be able to play in a final. We’re very happy about it and we’ll take some time to enjoy it, but also rest and get ready for the final because it’s not over yet.”
The match also marked a poignant moment for Real Madrid, as Luka Modrić played his final game for the club. The Croatian star leaves behind a legacy of 597 appearances and 28 trophies, including six Champions League titles and the 2018 Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged the bittersweet end, emphasizing Modrić’s legendary status in football and the club.
As PSG prepares for the final against Chelsea, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an exhilarating showdown on March 15.
