Newly crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain marked their FIFA Club World Cup debut in emphatic style, sweeping aside Atletico Madrid 4-0 under scorching California sunshine at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. With a crowd of 80,619 witnessing the showdown, the French side showcased the fluid attacking football that has defined their transformation under manager Luis Enrique.
Dominance from the First Whistle by the PSG
Paris Saint-Germain wasted no time asserting control over the contest, enjoying an astonishing 82.6% possession in the opening 15 minutes. Their passing rhythm and tactical discipline left Atletico Madrid chasing shadows in the Californian heat.
The breakthrough came when Fabian Ruiz struck a powerful low drive from the edge of the penalty area, nestling into the bottom corner beyond Jan Oblak. PSG continued to pile pressure, with Gonçalo Ramos squandering multiple chances before Vitinha sliced through Atletico’s defence in the 44th minute, coolly sliding the ball past Oblak to double the lead and underline PSG’s superiority.
Even after the break, PSG kept Atletico pinned back, with Oblak forced into a stunning save to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, tipping his curling effort onto the crossbar.
Heat Takes Center Stage
The midday kickoff proved controversial as players endured 31°C temperatures in Pasadena. FIFA’s decision to schedule matches before 5 p.m. local time has drawn criticism from player welfare advocates, particularly FIFPro, who argue that existing cooling break guidelines are insufficient to ensure athlete safety.
Sunday’s clash featured two cooling breaks, with players resorting to towels and shaded benches to escape the relentless sun. Vitinha, who was named Player of the Match, described the conditions as “very difficult,” while manager Luis Enrique acknowledged the oppressive heat had “a definite impact” on performance levels.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup also scheduled for North America, concerns around match timing and climate preparedness will continue to mount.
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PSG Thrash Atletico Madrid 4-0 in Club World Cup Debut Amid Scorching Heat
While Vitinha stole the headlines with his composed finish and midfield dominance, Kvaratskhelia chipped in with two assists, albeit from relatively straightforward passes. His most spectacular moment—a bending strike destined for the top corner—was denied only by Oblak’s fingertip save.
Atletico Madrid, by contrast, struggled to impose themselves. Julian Alvarez offered energy and intent but was left isolated in attack. His only real opportunity was chalked off by VAR for a foul by Koke in the buildup.
The Spanish side’s frustration peaked in the 78th minute when Clement Lenglet received a second yellow card for dissent after Oblak was impeded while trying to release the ball. Atletico’s misery deepened when Alexander Sorloth missed an open goal late on.
Key Stats Tell the Story
PSG’s 2024/25 campaign started unsteadily, but the second half of the season has seen them rise to unprecedented levels. Remarkably, 103 of their 154 total goals have come since January 1, reflecting a sharp upturn in attacking output under Enrique’s guidance.
Their dominance against Atletico was more than just visual. PSG had more than three times the number of shots, completed over 90% of their passes, and restricted the Spanish side to just one shot on target over 90 minutes.
In the final minutes, 18-year-old Senny Mayulu, hero of last month’s Champions League final, added a third before Lee Kang-in converted a stoppage-time penalty following a VAR-reviewed handball by Robin le Normand.
What Comes Next?
PSG will now look to seal top spot in Group B when they take on Botafogo of Brazil on Friday, June 20 at the Rose Bowl (02:00 BST). Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will aim to salvage their campaign against Seattle Sounders in a high-stakes match in Seattle on Thursday, June 19 (23:00 BST).
For Paris Saint-Germain, the Club World Cup represents an opportunity to cap off a historic treble-winning season, while for Diego Simeone’s side, urgent recalibration is required to avoid early elimination in a tournament that is quickly slipping from their grasp.
