Club World Cup Semi-Finals: PSG thrash Real Madrid 4-0 as the Ligue 1 champions set up tie against Chelsea in the final
Continuing their impressive form following their European success, Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final after they thrashed Real Madrid.
PSG, yet again, provided an overwhelming performance during their thrashing of the Spanish giants in the second semi-final tie to set up a final against East-London outfit, Chelsea.
It is just a month from the UEFA Champions League triumph when they beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
Luis Enrique’s men produced another scintillating performance to thumped Real Madrid and it might give them a chance to complete the season with an international title on Sunday, at New York’s MetLife Stadium.
Club World Cup Semi-Finals: PSG Thrash Real 4-0
They had been broadly tipped to book a place in the final of the competition following their dominating first-half performance, before eighteenth minute, when it started with Raul Asencio’s heavy touch on the ball in Real’s box which let Ousmane Dembele to link up with Fabian Ruiz for PSG’s opener on the sixth minute.
After three minutes, another mistake from Antonio Rudiger freed Ousmane Dembele through on goal who made no mistake beating Real Madrid’s keeper Thibaut Courtois to put PSG two goals ahead.
Real Madrid panicked and the tie worsened for them when Ruiz netted his brace on the night and PSG’s third goal came from Achraf Hakim’s cut-back following an impressive build-up.
Real Madrid, who were without their new right-back signing Trent Alexandra-Arnold due to injury, made attempts to recover by subbing-in Luka Modric for his final appearance for the club.
However, PSG’s substitute Goncalo Ramos scored fourth for the French side after a breakaway.
Having already conquered Europe, Paris saint-Germain will be in action on Sunday as bookmakers’ favourites to win against Enzo Maresca Chelsea side and still add another piece of silverware having already won French double as well as the Champions League.
Howbeit, for Real Madrid and their new manager Xabi Alonso, the hiccup is to bring their Club World Cup campaign to an end and put the campaign behind them to gear-up for life after their legendary and most decorated player in their history, Luka Modric, who was paid ovation by teammates and fans after the final whistles.
Club World Cup Semi-Finals: PSG Thrash Real 4-0
Speaking after the match, PSG boss Luis Enrique commended his men on their big performance and ushered special praise on Ousmane Dembele as his nurtures is Ballon d’Or aspiration with his 35th goal of the season on his first start at the Club World Cup following his return from a thigh injury.
“I feel great. It’s difficult to play those kinds of matches against Real Madrid. I think we started the game very good and we’re happy with the performance, Enrique told DAZN.
“Especially in these conditions – it’s too much heat, for me. You need to play in different conditions to watch a better show but I think both teams did it great.
“We are in a special season, a special moment and I think we deserved to win.
“It’s the first match in this Club World Cup we can use Ousmane as a normal player because he was injured with the national team and we tried to take care of him. I think he’s the best player this season by a long way.
“He deserves to win everything because he gave everything to the team and the team is going to achieve trophies, which is the most important thing for a club.”
On Sunday’s final against Chelsea, he added: “We are going to try to win it. One more step against a good team like Chelsea.
Club World Cup Semi-Finals: PSG Thrash Real 4-0
“They performed the whole competition and now it’s time for us to prepare for that, try to recover.
“Almost there; we want to make history for our club and then it’s our holidays.”
It Was A Perfect Performance ─ Fabian
In the post-match conference told DAZN: “It was an incredible game, a perfect performance, especially considering the heat, the temperature.
“It was a brilliant performance against a really top team and we’re so happy we’ve gone through.
“I’m happy for the goals but mostly I’m just happy about the win. Now we just need to celebrate – we’re through to the final.
“It will be difficult, we know they are a good team, but hopefully we can win it and finish the season in the best way possible.”
We Are To Learn From The Loss ─ Alonso
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has implored his men to learn from the heavy loss and paid homage to their departing legend Luka Modric.
“For sure we knew the task was really tough being 2-0 down against Paris after 10 minutes,” he told DAZN.
“At the moment the feeling is not the best but we have to try to learn from today.
Club World Cup Semi-Finals: PSG Thrash Real 4-0
“They are a team that have been building for two years and we are just starting. We have to take time but we have to learn.
“At the moment we need a proper break. This is not the beginning of this year; this is just the end of last season.
“After just three weeks here, I think we can take positives from this period. Not from today but we take lessons from today.
“I think we have not been the last ones to face such a good team. I think, since February, they are in a top moment and today we have faced one of the best teams in the world.
“Let’s see what happens in the final but they have shown a very good level. We want to be there but for sure it would take time.”
On Departing Modric, Alonso added: “It’s a bitter end for a last game but apart from that he’s been a legend of the club, a legend of football.
Club World Cup Semi-Finals: PSG Thrash Real 4-0
“I have been a team-mate, now his coach, but he’s a great guy so he is going to be remembered by everyone at Real Madrid.”
What awaits PSG?
Paris Saint-Germain will play Chelsea in the final of the competition on Sunday’s Club World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium.
Kick-off: 8pm.