PSG hammer Real Madrid 4-0 to reach FIFA Club World Cup final
PSG built a 3-0 lead in 24 minutes, deflating the heavily pro-Madrid crowd on Wednesday. Goncalo Ramos, who subbed on for Dembele early in the second half, added a goal for good measure in the 87th minute.
Gianluigi Donnarumma parried one early shot by Mbappe and finished with two saves, but the PSG defence was otherwise unbothered en route to their fifth clean sheet in six tournament matches.
Wednesday marked Mbappe's first time facing PSG, for whom he scored 256 goals over seven years before joining Madrid a year ago. After coming on as a substitute in the past two matches, Mbappe started up front alongside Gonzalo Garcia, but was held off the scoresheet.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was out of Real Madrid's squad, reportedly due to a training injury.
Coming off its first European title, PSG will play for the championship on Sunday.
Real fared no better than Inter Milan, overrun by PSG 5-0 in the Champions League final. The 15-time European champions looked sluggish after travelling to Florida for training between games, and PSG had 76.5 percent possession in the first half.
A crowd of 77,542 was at MetLife Stadium on a scorching day, with a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) at kickoff and humidity that made it feel like 38C (101F).
PSG's attack wasted no time, however, forcing Courtois to make two difficult saves during the first five minutes. But in the sixth, Dembele robbed Raul Asencio of the ball in the centre of the box, tapped it away from Courtois's diving reach and set up Ruiz for a one-timer into the back of the net.
Dembele made Madrid pay again when he closed in on Antonio Rudiger, who proceeded to whiff on a pass attempt in the defensive half. Dembele bolted away and beat Courtois in the bottom left corner for a 2-0 lead less than nine minutes in.
After Mbappe's third shot of the day was blocked, PSG ran out on a clinical counterattack. Achraf Hakimi sprung free down the right side on a give-and-go with Dembele, and Hakimi's cross set up Ruiz's second goal in the 24th minute.
Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea on Sunday in the final. Chelsea won the title in 2021, while PSG will try to become the first team from France to capture the trophy.
PSG has earned $88.4m to $113.8m for reaching the final, the amount depending on a participation fee.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
5 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Barcelona kickoff title defence at Mallorca
Who: Mallorca vs Barcelona What: Spanish La Liga Where: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Mallorca, Spain When: Saturday at 7:30pm (17:30 GMT) How to follow: We'll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 4:30pm (15:30 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream. Barcelona begin their defence of their La Liga title on Saturday after flying to the island of Mallorca. The Catalan club disposed of their fierce rivals and winners of the previous year's title, Real Madrid, on all fronts last season. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at the first major match of the new La Liga season and what clues there may be as to whether Barca will give Real a glimpse of hope in the title race this time around. How dominant were Barcelona last season? The Catalan club is coming off one of its best seasons in years, having won the league, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. It also went deep in the Champions League, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2019. How big a role will Marcus Rashford play at Barcelona? In its second year under coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan club will try to add to its success from last season by boosting its squad with Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. He will be teaming up with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in an attacking front that was one of the best in Europe last season. It led the scoring charts both in the Spanish league – with more than 100 goals – and in the Champions League. With Lewandowski set to miss the start of the new season, Rashford will vie with Ferran Torres for a place in Barca's attack. After Rashford fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford, his move to Barcelona presents a huge chance to rebuild his career. What other changes have Barcelona made? Leaving the team are veteran defender Inigo Martínez, who has signed with Saudi club Al-Nassr, and Ansu Fati, who went on loan to Monaco after not playing much last season. How many La Liga titles have Barcelona won? Last season's title was Barcelona's 28th trophy lift in La Liga. Real Madrid are the record winners with 36 victories to their name. Has Mallorca ever beaten Barcelona? Yes. The Spanish islanders have won 17 of their 75 meetings. Barca, however, have won 44 of the encounters. Where did Mallorca finish last season? Mallorca squeezed into the top half of La Liga last season with a 10th-placed finish. Only one team had a worse home record among the top 12 teams last season after Mallorca recorded only seven wins in 19 league matches in front of their own crowd. Six of those games resulted in defeats. What happened the last time Barcelona met Mallorca? Barca narrowly beat Mallorca 1-0 at home in their last meeting in April. Dani Olmo scored the only goal in the first minute of the second half to settle the La Liga match. The corresponding fixture resulted in a 5-1 win for Barca with Raphinha netting twice. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's prematch thoughts 'We are working hard to face this new season. Winning three titles last year is not the end – it's a continuation. We will give everything this year. 'Lamine Yamal still has room to improve. I like what I'm seeing. He's training very well, with and without the ball, defending and pressing.' Head-to-head Mallorca have not defeated Barcelona since May 2009 – a 2-1 home win in an end-of-season affair in La Liga. Barca, meanwhile, have won 14 of their last 15 matches against Mallorca in all competitions. Mallorca team news Pablo Maffeo will be heavily missed in defence due to a hamstring injury. Pablo Torre is set to start against his former side, having joined from Barcelona in the summer window. Spain Under-21 international Mateo Joseph is also in line to feature, having joined on loan from Leeds United. Omar Mascarell has a suspension hanging over from last season after his booking in the final game of the last La Liga campaign. Barcelona team news The Catalan club starts the season without veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen because of surgery for lower back problems. The goalkeeper was at odds with the club about his recovery time. He was provisionally stripped of his captaincy for refusing to sign a medical report about the injury, but he and the club eventually reached an agreement that restored his role as captain. Veteran striker Lewandowski also isn't expected to play early in the new campaign because of a muscle issue. Rashford's registration after his loan from Manchester United has proved problematic, similar to the financial issues that held up Dani Olmo's participation last season. Mallorca predicted starting lineup Greif; Morey, Lopez, Raillo, Lato; Sanchez, Costa, Torre, Darder; Muriqi, Joseph Barcelona predicted starting lineup Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; de Jong, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Torres, Raphinha
Al Jazeera
6 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Barcelona kickoff title defence at home to Mallorca
Who: Mallorca vs Barcelona What: Spanish La Liga Where: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Mallorca, Spain When: Saturday at 7:30pm (17:30 GMT) How to follow: We'll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 4:30pm (15:30 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream. Barcelona begin their defence of their La Liga title on Saturday after flying to the island of Mallorca. The Catalan club disposed of their fierce rivals and winners of the previous year's title, Real Madrid, on all fronts last season. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at the first major match of the new La Liga season and what clues there may be as to whether Barca will give Real a glimpse of hope in the title race this time around. How dominant were Barcelona last season? The Catalan club is coming off one of its best seasons in years, having won the league, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. It also went deep in the Champions League, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2019. How big a role will Marcus Rashford play at Barcelona? In its second year under coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan club will try to add to its success from last season by boosting its squad with Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. He will be teaming up with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in an attacking front that was one of the best in Europe last season. It led the scoring charts both in the Spanish league – with more than 100 goals – and in the Champions League. With Lewandowski set to miss the start of the new season, Rashford will vie with Ferran Torres for a place in Barca's attack. After Rashford fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford, his move to Barcelona presents a huge chance to rebuild his career. What other changes have Barcelona made? Leaving the team are veteran defender Inigo Martínez, who has signed with Saudi club Al-Nassr, and Ansu Fati, who went on loan to Monaco after not playing much last season. How many La Liga titles have Barcelona won? Last season's title was Barcelona's 28th trophy lift in La Liga. Real Madrid are the record winners with 36 victories to their name. Has Mallorca ever beaten Barcelona? Yes. The Spanish islanders have won 17 of their 75 meetings. Barca, however, have won 44 of the encounters. Where did Mallorca finish last season? Mallorca squeezed into the top half of La Liga last season with a 10th-placed finish. Only one team had a worse home record among the top 12 teams last season after Mallorca recorded only seven wins in 19 league matches in front of their own crowd. Six of those games resulted in defeats. What happened the last time Barcelona met Mallorca? Barca narrowly beat Mallorca 1-0 at home in their last meeting in April. Dani Olmo scored the only goal in the first minute of the second half to settle the La Liga match. The corresponding fixture resulted in a 5-1 win for Barca with Raphinha netting twice. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's prematch thoughts 'We are working hard to face this new season. Winning three titles last year is not the end – it's a continuation. We will give everything this year. 'Lamine Yamal still has room to improve. I like what I'm seeing. He's training very well, with and without the ball, defending and pressing.' Head-to-head Mallorca have not defeated Barcelona since May 2009 – a 2-1 home win in an end-of-season affair in La Liga. Barca, meanwhile, have won 14 of their last 15 matches against Mallorca in all competitions. Mallorca team news Pablo Maffeo will be heavily missed in defence due to a hamstring injury. Pablo Torre is set to start against his former side, having joined from Barcelona in the summer window. Spain Under-21 international Mateo Joseph is also in line to feature, having joined on loan from Leeds United. Omar Mascarell has a suspension hanging over from last season after his booking in the final game of the last La Liga campaign. Barcelona team news The Catalan club starts the season without veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen because of surgery for lower back problems. The goalkeeper was at odds with the club about his recovery time. He was provisionally stripped of his captaincy for refusing to sign a medical report about the injury, but he and the club eventually reached an agreement that restored his role as captain. Veteran striker Lewandowski also isn't expected to play early in the new campaign because of a muscle issue. Rashford's registration after his loan from Manchester United has proved problematic, similar to the financial issues that held up Dani Olmo's participation last season. Mallorca predicted starting lineup Greif; Morey, Lopez, Raillo, Lato; Sanchez, Costa, Torre, Darder; Muriqi, Joseph Barcelona predicted starting lineup Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; de Jong, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Torres, Raphinha
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Enrique hails debutant goalkeeper Chevalier after PSG's Super Cup win
PAMedia/DPA Udine (Italy) Luis Enrique heaped praise on Paris Saint-Germain debutant goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for showing his personality in their Supercup win following days of debate over his battle with Gianluigi Donnarumma. Italy keeper Donnarumma helped PSG to a maiden Champions League title last season, but eyebrows were raised when the French club signed Chevalier this summer in a big-money transfer. The cards of Luis Enrique were firmly laid on the table on Monday when Donnarumma was left out of their Super Cup squad for this fixture in his home country and, despite Chevalier being at fault for one of the goals in the 2-2 draw, the 23-year-old saved a penalty from Micky van de Ven to help inspire a 4-3 shoot-out win. Asked about Chevalier, Luis Enrique said: 'I must say I am very happy. 'I am very happy with the way the game ended. It is very important for him and he showed exactly what he is made of, his character, his personality and things we ask here at PSG because we want him to get stuck in with the team. 'I am so happy with his performance, but also with the performance with regards to how he was helping the team. We are looking to get better, we are on the right track and I think we will be better this year. 'For a curtain-raiser, it was very difficult because everyone was talking about the situation, but Lucas showed personality, he showed good character and showed exactly why he is part of the Paris St Germain team.' It was nearly a different story after Chevalier allowed Cristian Romero's 48th-minute header to slip through his hands. PSG were two down by this point after Micky van de Ven's tap-in six minutes before half-time, but they staged a stirring fightback with goals by substitutes Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos to leave Tottenham crestfallen in Thomas Frank's first match in charge. 'We are always going and thinking we can win every single match, even when we are losing, but if I have to be honest, I have to say Tottenham deserve much more,' Luis Enrique acknowledged. 'They played better than us, they were playing better than us until the 81st minute. Football is sometimes unfair. In this case, I have to say I am very happy for that but maybe it was unfair.' Frank proud of Spurs players Thomas Frank acknowledged his 'special operation' failed but felt pride in his players after Tottenham surrendered a two-goal lead to lose the Super Cup on penalties to Paris St Germain. Set-piece goals by Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero had Spurs halfway towards another trophy - only three months on from Frank's predecessor Ange Postecoglou clinching Europa League success in May. Champions League winners PSG, who only returned to pre-season last week following their Club World Cup exploits in July, fought back impressively - with substitute Kang-in Lee pulling one back with five minutes left before Goncalo Ramos grabbed an equalizer in the fourth-minute of stoppage-time. It was initially advantage Tottenham in the shoot-out when Vitinha missed PSG's first kick and Rodrigo Bentancur put the Premier League club two up, but it was followed by Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failing to score as Frank's competitive debut ended in a 4-3 shoot-out defeat after a 2-2 draw. The Danish coach paid tribute to his squad after he lined them up in a back-three formation to largely good effect, in a fixture where they constantly looked a threat at set-pieces. 'Very, very proud of the players, the team, the club, the fans,' Frank reflected. 'I think the players gave everything, playing against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at the moment and I think we were 75, 80 minutes perfect. Almost giving nothing away. 'I knew we had to do something a little bit different against PSG. It was a special operation. In medical terms, the operation succeeded but the patient died, so not that good in the end. 'But we worked on a gameplan that was a little bit different and very close to succeeding. 'It was a little bit of special operation because it clearly went in spells a little bit more direct, because we knew that we could hurt them there. Big, big focus on the set pieces, from all areas of the pitch, but we will have focus on set pieces no matter what.' Frank's game-plan had worked perfectly until the 85th minute - with Van de Ven's opener just reward for a disciplined and dynamic Tottenham first-half display. New Tottenham boss Frank promised to swiftly lift morale before Saturday's Premier League opener at home to Burnley, adding: 'Every game matters. 'I think if you look on the face of the players and all of us, we are hugely disappointed and I have my rule for 24 hours. I can be disappointed for 24 hours.'
