PSG OVERPOWER Atlético Madrid In 4-0 Finish | FIFA Club World Cup
PSG vs Atlético Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off their historic Champions League triumph, kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the iconic Rose Bowl on Sunday, sending a resounding message to their rivals that they are the team to beat in this expanded 32-team tournament. The match, played under the scorching California sun, showcased PSG’s tactical sophistication, attacking flair, and unyielding determination, as they dismantled a resilient but ultimately outmatched Atletico side. The European giants, under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, displayed a masterclass in possession-based football, with goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu, and Lee Kang-in sealing a performance that underscored PSG’s ambition to add the Club World Cup to their growing trophy cabinet. This victory, coming on the heels of their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final on May 31, highlighted the Parisian club’s ability to maintain their elite level of performance, even in the face of challenging conditions and a formidable opponent.
From the opening whistle, PSG asserted their dominance, controlling possession with a fluidity that left Atletico Madrid struggling to keep pace. The Rose Bowl, a venue steeped in football history as the site of the 1994 World Cup final, provided a fitting stage for this high-profile Group B clash, one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament’s group stage. PSG’s attacking intent was evident early on, with their intricate passing and relentless pressing suffocating Atletico’s attempts to build from the back. In the 19th minute, Fabian Ruiz, the Spanish midfielder who had long been a transfer target for Atletico, opened the scoring with a moment of brilliance. Positioned just outside the penalty area, Ruiz unleashed a cleverly placed strike that curled past Jan Oblak into the far corner, leaving the Atletico goalkeeper with no chance. The goal was a testament to Ruiz’s technical quality and composure, qualities that have made him a cornerstone of PSG’s midfield under Enrique’s system. The Parisian fans, who filled the stands with a sea of blue and red, erupted in celebration, sensing that their team was on the verge of something special.
As the first half progressed, PSG continued to dictate the tempo, with their midfield trio of Ruiz, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery outclassing Atletico’s more physical approach. Atletico, known for their defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess under Diego Simeone, struggled to find their rhythm, unable to cope with PSG’s relentless pressure. Just before the break, Atletico were handed a golden opportunity to equalize when Antoine Griezmann found himself in space inside the box. However, PSG’s towering goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been a revelation since joining the club, produced a stunning save to deny the Frenchman, preserving PSG’s lead. The save was a pivotal moment, as it shifted the momentum firmly in PSG’s favor. Moments later, Vitinha, the diminutive Portuguese midfielder, showcased his class by slipping through Atletico’s defense on a swift counter-attack. With a cool finish, he doubled PSG’s lead, sending the Rose Bowl into raptures and leaving Simeone fuming on the sidelines. Vitinha’s goal was a microcosm of PSG’s performance: precise, dynamic, and devastatingly effective.
The second half saw PSG maintain their stranglehold on the match, even as Atletico showed flashes of resistance. Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward who has been a key figure for Atletico since his arrival, thought he had pulled one back for his side with a well-taken goal. However, the strike was disallowed after a VAR review determined that Koke had fouled Desire Doue in the build-up, a decision that sparked outrage from the Atletico bench. Simeone, known for his fiery demeanor, was visibly incensed, gesticulating furiously at the officials and urging his players to stay focused. The situation worsened for Atletico in the 78th minute when Clement Lenglet, the former Barcelona defender, received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing his team to ten men. The red card was a turning point, as it left Atletico exposed and vulnerable, unable to match PSG’s intensity with a numerical disadvantage. Lenglet’s dismissal epitomized Atletico’s frustrating afternoon, as they struggled to contain PSG’s attacking waves while also grappling with their own disciplinary issues.
PSG capitalized on their numerical advantage, and the match took on an air of inevitability as they pressed for more goals. In the 82nd minute, Atletico’s woes were compounded when Alexander Sorloth, the Norwegian striker, missed an open net from close range, a blunder that left Simeone collapsing to his knees in disbelief. The miss was emblematic of Atletico’s struggles, as they squandered the few chances they created against a PSG side that was clinical in every aspect. Five minutes later, Senny Mayulu, the young French forward who has emerged as a breakout star for PSG, put the game beyond doubt with a well-taken goal. Mayulu’s strike, a powerful shot from the edge of the box, showcased his growing confidence and ability to perform on the biggest stage. The final nail in Atletico’s coffin came in the dying moments of the match when Lee Kang-in, the South Korean winger, converted a penalty after Robin Le Normand was penalized for a handball in the box. Lee’s composed finish from the spot sealed a 4-0 victory, capping a performance that left no doubt about PSG’s credentials as tournament favorites.
Vitinha, named man of the match, spoke to DAZN after the game, reflecting on PSG’s dominant display. “We did a very good game, it is difficult with this temperature. We did well against a tough team, we controlled all of the game. We are happy with the result,” he said, his words tinged with a quiet confidence. Vitinha’s performance was a standout, as he orchestrated play from midfield with a blend of vision, tenacity, and technical brilliance. His goal and overall contribution underscored his importance to Enrique’s system, and his post-match comments highlighted the challenge of maintaining consistency at the highest level. “The toughest thing to do in football is to maintain the level, and that is what I try to do,” he added, a sentiment that reflects PSG’s broader ambitions in the tournament. For a team that has often been criticized for failing to translate domestic success into global dominance, this performance was a statement of intent, a declaration that PSG is ready to compete with the world’s best.
Luis Enrique, who cut a relaxed figure on the sidelines in shorts and a training shirt despite the 31°C (88°F) heat, was effusive in his praise for his players. “I think every single player showed their best quality to the team,” he told DAZN. “As a coach, I am happy. Really great to feel that love [from the stadium]. We are happy and want to continue with our ways.” Enrique’s tactical acumen was on full display, as he masterminded a game plan that neutralized Atletico’s strengths while maximizing PSG’s attacking potential. The absence of Ousmane Dembele, sidelined by a quadricep injury sustained while on international duty with France on June 6, did little to disrupt PSG’s rhythm, with Goncalo Ramos slotting seamlessly into the starting lineup. Enrique’s ability to adapt and maintain his team’s identity, even in the face of personnel changes and challenging conditions, speaks to his growth as a coach and PSG’s evolution into a cohesive unit.
The victory sets the stage for PSG’s continued pursuit of Club World Cup glory, with their next Group B match looming as an opportunity to build on this momentum. For Atletico, the defeat was a harsh reminder of the fine margins at this level, with Simeone’s side now facing an uphill battle to advance from the group stage. The match at the Rose Bowl was more than just a win for PSG; it was a showcase of their depth, resilience, and ambition. As the tournament progresses, PSG’s blend of youth, experience, and tactical discipline makes them a formidable force, one that their rivals will be wary of. For Enrique and his players, the focus now shifts to maintaining the level that Vitinha spoke of, as they aim to cement their status as the team to beat in the Club World Cup.
