Luis Enrique’s red-hot PSG side made Europe’s most decorated club look utterly helpless.
Despite two brilliant saves from Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid found themselves trailing 3-0 within just 24 minutes. Xabi Alonso’s team had no answer to PSG’s precise and relentless attacking play. Even though Real showed slight improvement in the second half, they couldn’t mount any serious challenge against the reigning European champions.
Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 by PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Fabián Ruiz scored twice, while Ousmane Dembélé and Gonçalo Ramos added one each.
For Real Madrid, it’s a season of deep disappointment and no silverware. In stark contrast, PSG—after finally conquering the Champions League—are now on the verge of adding another historic title under Luis Enrique.
They’ll face Chelsea in Sunday’s final of the revamped Club World Cup.
Courtois made two outstanding saves in the opening four minutes, but PSG struck twice in the next five, capitalizing on glaring defensive errors from Real.
Raúl Asensio failed to clear properly near his own penalty area. Dembélé intercepted, surged forward, and was tackled hard by Courtois. The Belgian keeper couldn’t reach the ball, which fell to an unmarked Ruiz. The Spanish midfielder coolly slotted into the empty net.
Before Real could recover, another blunder—this time by Antonio Rüdiger—led to a second goal. The German center-back failed to clear inside his own half, allowing Dembélé to steal the ball and score with a clinical low shot.
Due to traffic delays, the match kicked off 10 minutes late, with both teams arriving 20 minutes behind schedule. Initially, it felt like a home game for Real, with their fans dominating the stands. But PSG’s two early goals silenced them.
In the 24th minute, Ruiz struck again, plunging the Madrid faithful into despair. PSG’s dazzling one-touch play carved Real apart, and after a pinpoint pass from Achraf Hakimi near the penalty spot, Ruiz evaded Fede Valverde and calmly finished his second and PSG’s third.
Real couldn’t even get close to PSG’s box, let alone threaten a comeback. The French side controlled nearly 80% possession and kept pushing forward. In the 39th minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia narrowly missed making it 4-0 with a powerful strike.
In the 47th minute of the second half, Dijiré Doué scored but the goal was ruled offside. Ten minutes later, PSG coach Enrique substituted both Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, clearly preserving energy for the final. Real responded by bringing on Luka Modrić in place of Jude Bellingham in the 61st minute.
Despite some improvement, Real failed to create any real scoring chances in the second half. Dani Carvajal returned to the pitch in the 70th minute—the Spanish right-back’s first appearance since October.
In the 88th minute, Ramos added a fourth, smashing in a close-range strike. He dedicated his goal to his late national teammate, Diogo Jota, who recently died in a tragic road accident.
Facing his former club for the first time since leaving, Kylian Mbappé had a quiet night. The same could be said for Vinícius Jr., who never looked like his usual self.
This match also marked the end of an era for Real Madrid, as both Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez played their final game for the club. After such a disjointed performance, new coach Xabi Alonso will have plenty to reflect on heading into the new season.