Paris Saint-Germain made a powerful statement in their Club World Cup debut, dismantling Atletico Madrid 4-0 in Group B’s opening match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Fresh off their UEFA Champions League triumph, the French giants maintained their elite form with a clinical and commanding performance under sweltering conditions.
PSG Set the Tone Early with High Press and Possession
Despite having only recently secured the Champions League and French Cup, Luis Enrique’s team showed no signs of fatigue. From the opening whistle, PSG controlled the game with relentless intensity and tactical fluidity, registering over 82% possession in the opening 15 minutes. Their aggressive pressing and constant positional rotation quickly unsettled Atletico Madrid, who struggled to find rhythm or space.
Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the 19th minute. After Atletico were pressured into an error deep in their own half, Ruiz struck a low drive into the corner of the net, giving PSG a deserved lead. Gonçalo Ramos had multiple chances to extend the advantage but couldn’t find the target. 
Vitinha and Midfield Trio Tear Atletico Apart
The midfield was the engine behind PSG’s dominance. Vitinha, the standout performer, often dropped between the centre-backs, allowing full-back Nuno Mendes to surge forward. Ruiz continued to drift across attacking zones, combining quick passes with powerful runs, while Joao Neves added energy and tenacity in the defensive phase.
PSG’s second goal came just before the break. After Atletico had their best chance through Antoine Griezmann, PSG immediately countered with clinical precision. Vitinha drifted through the heart of the Atletico defense and coolly finished to make it 2-0 at halftime.
Atletico Madrid Struggle in Disjointed Second Half
After the restart, Atletico attempted to recover some control but were largely ineffective. Jan Oblak made a crucial save to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, tipping his curling effort onto the bar. Julian Alvarez had a goal disallowed for PSG after a VAR review revealed a foul by Koke on Desire Doue in the build-up.
Atletico’s frustrations grew. In the 78th minute, Clement Lenglet was shown a second yellow card — this time for dissent — after Oblak was impeded while trying to release the ball. With 10 men, Atletico’s resistance collapsed.
Mayulu and Lee Kang-in Add Late Goals
PSG added a third goal in the 87th minute through young substitute Senny Mayulu, who had also scored in the Champions League final. He fired a low strike into the bottom corner, finishing a smooth move.
In stoppage time, PSG nearly added another when Ibrahim Mbaye struck the post. However, VAR awarded them a penalty after Robin le Normand handled the ball in the box. Lee Kang-in stepped up and converted from the spot, capping off the 4-0 victory.
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Heat a Major Talking Point in Club World Cup Schedule
The match was played in intense heat, with temperatures reaching 31°C (88°F) at midday local time. Players took two cooling breaks during the match, covering their heads with towels and ice packs to cope with the extreme conditions.
The decision by FIFA to schedule 35 of the tournament’s 63 games before 17:00 local time has raised concerns. The world players’ union, FIFPro, has criticized the current cooling break protocols, arguing they may not sufficiently protect player health in high-heat environments.
PSG midfielder Vitinha, named player of the match, described the conditions as “difficult,” while manager Luis Enrique admitted the heat “had an impact on the game.”
What’s Next for PSG and Atletico Madrid?
PSG will face Brazilian side Botafogo in their next Group B match on Friday, 20 June in Pasadena. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they head north to face Seattle Sounders on Thursday, 19 June at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Key Takeaways:
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Dominant Display: PSG’s midfield trio were instrumental in breaking down Atletico’s rigid structure.
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Tactical Superiority: Luis Enrique’s high-possession strategy overwhelmed Simeone’s defensive setup.
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Heat Challenges: Conditions raised safety concerns as temperatures neared dangerous levels.
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Discipline Issues: Atletico finished with 10 men after Lenglet’s bizarre second yellow card.
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Clinical Finish: PSG scored twice late on to complete a comprehensive 4-0 win.
