PSG 4 – 0 Atlético Madrid
Spanish side Atlético Madrid, who ended the game with ten men, left their fans disappointed with a lackluster performance.
Even without star forward Ousmane Dembélé, Paris Saint-Germain showed no signs of weakness. Playing attacking football from the start, the UEFA Champions League winners launched their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in style, thrashing Atlético 4–0 at the Rose Bowl in California on Sunday.
Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu, and Lee Kang-in each found the back of the net, helping PSG cruise to a dominant win.
It was the first time both of these clubs took part in the Club World Cup in either of its formats — and also the first time two European teams faced off at this stage. However, what was expected to be a thrilling contest turned out to be one-sided.
PSG dominated possession with nearly 75% of the ball and took 16 shots, 11 of which were on target. Atlético managed only five shots, with just one troubling the goalkeeper.
Under Luis Enrique’s guidance and now playing as the champions of Europe, PSG’s control was overwhelming. Atlético couldn’t even get a grip on possession in the opening spell — they had the ball for less than 20% of the time in the first 20 minutes.
PSG capitalized on their early dominance. In the 19th minute, a well-constructed passing move led to Fabian Ruiz receiving a back-pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Ruiz hit a low shot from outside the box to give his side the lead.
After conceding, Atlético tried to retain more of the ball, but they struggled to escape PSG’s pressing. Their only shot on target in the first half came in the 45th minute, when Rodrigo De Paul’s effort was comfortably collected by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PSG doubled their lead almost immediately after, hitting back with a rapid counterattack. Picking up a pass from Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha powered into the box and smashed a shot past the goalkeeper.
In the second half, Jan Oblak made a stunning save in the 50th minute to keep Atlético in the game. A fierce shot from Kvaratskhelia — who had a hand in both of PSG’s earlier goals — deflected off Oblak’s hand and onto the crossbar.
Seven minutes later, Atlético found the net through Julián Álvarez after a swift attack, but the goal was disallowed. VAR ruled it out due to a foul by Koke on Desire Doue during the build-up.
In the 78th minute, Atlético’s hopes were crushed further. Defender Clément Lenglet received a second yellow card for protesting a referee’s decision, reducing the team to ten men.
Alexander Sørloth, who recently scored the fastest hat-trick in La Liga history and netted four in a single match against Real Sociedad, had a golden opportunity to pull one back. But in a shocking miss, he blasted the ball over the bar from six yards with an open goal in front of him.
Just five minutes later, Senny Mayulu extended PSG’s lead. The 19-year-old French midfielder latched onto a loose ball in the box and calmly slotted it into the net.
In stoppage time, Lee Kang-in hammered the final nail in the coffin, converting a penalty to seal a crushing win.
