PSG dismantle Real Madrid to book Chelsea date in Club World Cup final
This was one of the most one-sided Club World Cup games since Bayern Munich put 10 past Auckland City. Paris Saint-Germain dismantled Real Madrid in the MetLife Stadium with an awesome first-half attacking display in the heavyweight semi-final.
It was no wonder Trent Alexander-Arnold was missing with a hamstring injury and Chelsea were probably watching from behind the sofa. PSG now face Chelsea in Sunday's final with the winners getting a £97m jackpot in prize money and it would be a huge upset if Luis Enrique's men do not win.
Fabian Ruiz scored twice but it was also about PSG's movement and energy as they put the job facing Real Madrid's new boss Xabi Alonso into stark perspective.
The French giants are not just the best team in Europe after winning the Champions League, they are also by far and away the best team in the world.
They produced another scintillating display of slick passing, pressing and high intensity football even in the scorching heat in front of 77,542 fans in New York.
This was a pure joy to watch and the warning signs were there early on as Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois made an incredible save from Ousmane Dembele.
PSG did not have to wait much longer. Raul Asencio's error let in Dembele who was upended by Courtois but Ruiz slotted in the loose ball to make it 1-0 after six minutes.
Three minutes later, Antonio Rudiger slipped and Dembele raced clear before slotting home his 35th goal of the season.
It was 3-0 inside 24 minutes as Achraf Hakimi turned on the turbo jets, played in Ruiz who had time to pick his spot and score. PSG got a fourth when substitute Goncalo Ramos scored from close range and then did a Diogo Jota style celebration to mark his late Portugal teammate.
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