Newly crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain launched their Club World Cup campaign in style with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Played in searing midday heat that reached 31°C, PSG maintained control throughout the Group B clash, thrilling over 80,000 spectators with their high-tempo, attacking performance.
Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu, and Lee Kang-In capped a dominant display from Luis Enrique’s side. The French giants built on their Champions League triumph just two weeks earlier, once again demonstrating their formidable form on the international stage.
PSG opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Ruiz, who swept home a low finish after a slick combination play involving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Atletico Madrid struggled to respond, picking up multiple bookings as their frustration grew under the weight of PSG's relentless pressing and possession. Vitinha doubled the lead just before halftime following another Kvaratskhelia-led attack, making it 2-0 and further deflating Diego Simeone's side, whose only first-half shot came moments before conceding again.
Atletico seemed to claw one back in the second half when Julian Alvarez finished well, but VAR ruled the goal out due to a foul in the buildup. Despite a brief spell of increased urgency, Atletico remained toothless in attack and were further handicapped when Clement Lenglet was sent off in the 78th minute for a second yellow card. A glaring miss by Alexander Sorloth summed up their day, as he failed to convert an open goal shortly after the dismissal.
PSG took full advantage of Atletico’s collapse, with Mayulu scoring in the 87th minute after a defensive scramble and Lee Kang-In adding a final goal from the penalty spot in injury time following a handball by Robin Le Normand.
The result sends a strong message to their Group B rivals, with PSG set to face Botafogo next on Thursday. Meanwhile, Atletico will need a dramatic turnaround in their remaining fixtures to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
ADD A COMMENT :