Paris Saint-Germain scored three first-half goals to defeat Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
A brace from Fabian Ruiz and a goal each from Ousmane Dembele and Gancalo Ramos separated the reigning UEFA Champions League winners from their opponents at the MetLife Stadium on Wednesday.
The match was Kylian Mbappe’s first against PSG since leaving the club in 2024. The French forward, who had missed the majority of the competition due to illness, started the match with Raul Acensio replacing the suspended Dean Huijsen in Madrid’s defence.
PSG were also without Willian Pacho in defence after the Ecuadorian was sent off in the semi-final, and Lucas Beraldo stepped in alongside Dembele as a couple of changes were made by Luis Enrique to his all-conquering side.
PSG looked the better team from the beginning of the game, with Thibaut Courtois forced into multiple saves by Nuno Mendes and Ruiz even before the fifth minute.
But a minute later, even the long-limbed Belgian could only watch as Ruiz gave PSG the lead after Acensio tarried on the ball and was harassed off it by Dembele. The French winger tucked the ball into Ruiz’s path, and the Spanish midfielder finished into an empty net.
Dembele doubled the lead three minutes later, capitalising on another defensive lapse. Antonio Rudiger miscued an attempted backpass, Dembele pounced on the spilt ball, and Courtois was beaten from close range.
The third goal came in the 24th minute as Ruiz got his brace. A counterattack sent Acraf Hakimi dashing down the right wing before finding Ruiz in the box with a perfect cross.
The substitute Ramos scored the final goal deep at the end of the game, finishing off another round of counter-attack after Madrid had exhausted themselves with unproductive ball possession and attacks.
PSG will face Chelsea on Sunday in the final of the Club World Cup.
