Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivered a commanding performance against Real Madrid, securing a decisive 4-0 victory to advance to the Club World Cup final. The match took place on March 15, 2024, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where a crowd of 77,542 witnessed PSG’s dominance.
Fabián Ruiz was the standout player, scoring two goals within the first 24 minutes. He opened the scoring in the sixth minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Raúl Asencio. Just three minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead after another mistake from defender Antonio Rüdiger. Ruiz further extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 24th minute, finishing a swift counterattack. Gonçalo Ramos capped the scoring with a goal in the 87th minute.
PSG’s early lead set the tone for the match, which saw them dominate possession, holding the ball for 76.5% of the first half. Real Madrid, coming off a training stint in Florida, struggled to find their rhythm and failed to create significant opportunities. Despite being a 15-time European champion, Madrid’s performance mirrored that of their recent defeat to PSG in the Champions League final, where they lost 5-0.
The conditions at MetLife Stadium were challenging, with temperatures reaching 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) at kickoff, making it feel like 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) due to humidity. Under these circumstances, Real Madrid’s star player, Kylian Mbappé, was unable to pose a threat in his first match against his former team.
In a notable moment, veteran midfielder Luka Modrić entered the match in the 64th minute, likely playing his final game for Madrid after joining the team in 2012. Also making his return was Éder Militão, who had not played since tearing his right ACL on November 9, 2023.
The match’s initial goals were a result of defensive lapses from Real Madrid. A mis-hit cross from Lucas Beraldo by Asencio allowed Dembélé to intercept and set up Ruiz for his first goal. Dembélé then made a strong individual effort, dribbling from 40 yards out before scoring. Ruiz’s third goal came after a well-executed sequence of passes involving Achraf Hakimi.
Real Madrid’s defense was hampered by the absence of Dean Huijsen, who received a red card in the previous match against Borussia Dortmund. Additionally, Trent Alexander-Arnold was sidelined due to muscle discomfort.
With this victory, PSG not only demonstrated their potential on the international stage but also secured a financial reward of between $88.4 million and $113.8 million for reaching the final, depending on participation fees. The team will face Chelsea on Sunday for the championship title.
As PSG celebrates this significant achievement, the football world will be watching closely to see if they can secure their first Club World Cup title.
