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FIFA Club World Cup, Group Stage, 15/06/25

Paris Saint-Germain got their FIFA Club World Cup campaign off to the perfect start, seeing off a dispirited Atletico Madrid side at a canter (4-0) at the Rose Bowl.

The Match

This is a time of year usually reserved for pre-season tours, and this game was certainly played at a friendly pace during the first half. PSG completely dominated possession, as they are accustomed to doing, but weren’t too pressed to up the rhythm on a hot afternoon at the Rose Bowl. They were patient and bided their time.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a sighter in the 17th minute with a well-struck volley on the turn, and just one minute later, Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring with a brilliantly driven effort from the edge of the box. Atletico Madrid struggled to lay a glove on the reigning European champions but did carve out a half chance in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.

Antoine Griezmann, the benefactor of a poor Willian Pacho pass, could only blast straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma. Less than 60 seconds later, the ball was once again in the Atletico Madrid goal as PSG broke quickly. Vitinha was found in the final third, and he simply strolled into the Atleti box and finished past Jan Oblak into the bottom corner.

With a two-goal deficit to overturn in the second half, Atletico Madrid never succeeded in putting PSG under any pressure or creating any element of doubt. Instead, it was Parisians who continued to dominate possession and create the most dangerous chances.

Kvaratskhelia, who set up both of PSG’s goals in the first half, struck the underside of the bar with a fierce, curled effort, well saved by the fingertips of Oblak. Julián Alvarez had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal, taken after a transition created by a ball recovery high in the PSG, was struck off due to a foul on Désiré Doué.

Atletico Madrid then finished the game with 10 men. In an odd sequence of play, Oblak’s roll-out was blocked by Senny Mayulu. The ball found its way to Achraf Hakimi, who dithered and didn’t finish into the empty net. The Spanish side were furious, especially Clement Lenglet, who earned a second yellow and a red card for his protests.

Atletico Madrid’s best chance of the entire match came shortly after but off the bench, Alexander Sorloth ballooned over when just a few yards out at the back post, with the whole goal to aim at. Things would get worse for the Spanish side before full-time.

A scruffy move was finished with aplomb by substitute Senny Mayulu, who blasted home on the half-turn and, in the dying seconds, Lee Kang-in added a fourth from the penalty spot after Robin Le Normand was punished for a handball. It was a romp from the reigning European champions, who emphasised their status as one of the favourites to win this inaugural tournament in the USA.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5

Nuno Mendes – 7

Willian Pacho – 4

Marquinhos – 6

Achraf Hakimi – 5

Fabián Ruiz – 7

João Neves – 6

Vitinha – 8

Like he did in the Champions League final, the waspish Portuguese midfielder ran the show from deep, knitting play and getting his side up the pitch. But he is also a player more than capable of making the difference in the final third, as he did once again with his brilliant curled effort into the bottom corner.

Khvicha kvaratskhelia – 7

Statistically, it was a great night for the Georgian, who registered two assists. But both goals were certainly more about the finish that followed. Tidy and incisive when he needed to be, he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he curled an effort from the corner of the box.

Gonçalo Ramos – 4

Désiré Doué – 4

Not Doué’s best night. There were flashes – there always are with Doué – but he was also guilty of losing the ball too cheaply and in dangerous situations, too. On one occasion, he attempted to be too deft inside the Atleti half and left his side vulnerable to a counter. Marquinhos cut it out with a blatant foul before showing frustration with Doué. So often, his tricks and flicks come off, but they need to be used in the right moments. That wasn’t always the case against Atletico Madrid.

Selected Atletico Madrid player ratings

Clement Lenglet – 3

Jan Oblak – 5

Giuliano Simeone – 3

Tezz | Sandy