PSG Sweep Aside Atletico Madrid in Dominant Club World Cup Debut
Paris Saint-Germain announced their arrival on the global stage in style, beginning their maiden FIFA Club World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Fresh off their first UEFA Champions League triumph, the French champions asserted their dominance early and never looked back.
In sweltering Californian heat, PSG controlled the match from the first whistle, registering a staggering 82.6% possession in the opening 15 minutes, a clear indication of their tactical superiority and composure. Their breakthrough came via Fabian Ruiz, whose pinpoint low drive from the edge of the box rippled the bottom corner in the 23rd minute.
Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos had three opportunities to add to the lead but was wasteful in front of goal. Nonetheless, the pressure paid off just before half-time when Vitinha exploited a lapse in the Atletico backline to coolly slot the second past a stranded Jan Oblak.
The Spanish side's goalkeeper was repeatedly called into action, notably denying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with a spectacular save that deflected the Georgian's curling effort onto the bar. Julian Alvarez thought he had made it 3-0 early in the second half, but VAR ruled out his goal due to a foul in the build-up by Atletico captain Koke.
The evening took a further downward turn for Diego Simeone’s men when defender Clément Lenglet, on loan from Barcelona, was sent off in the 78th minute following a second booking for protesting. His dismissal left Atleti even more vulnerable, and substitute Senny Mayulu capitalized late with a composed finish for PSG’s third.
The drama wasn’t over. In added time, Ibrahim Mbaye struck the post, and following a VAR review, Atletico’s Robin Le Normand was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in stepped up to confidently convert the resulting penalty, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
With this win, PSG not only advanced with confidence but also sent a strong message to the remaining contenders. Their control, depth, and firepower demonstrated why they are Europe’s new elite.
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