Early Dominance: Ruiz Leads PSG to Commanding First Half
Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning performance to crush Real Madrid 4–0 in the Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in just the 6th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Real Madrid’s backline and a misjudged clearance by Thibaut Courtois.
Only three minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead, seizing another Real error to slot home. Then, in the 24th minute, Ruiz struck again, finishing a well-worked counterattack to give PSG a 3–0 lead within the first half-hour. Ruiz’s performance stood out, earning him the unofficial “man of the match” honors and high praise from his coach and teammates.
Tactical Mastery and Midfield Brilliance
Fabián Ruiz’s brace highlighted his excellent positioning, vision, and calm under pressure. After the match, he called it one of the most memorable nights of his career. Alongside Vitinha and João Neves, Ruiz controlled the midfield with precision, while wing-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes offered width and pace.
PSG’s game plan, designed by manager Luis Enrique, focused on high pressing and quick transitions—something that exposed Real Madrid’s weaknesses, Real Madrid particularly in the absence of two key defenders. PSG ended the first half with nearly 77% possession, showing complete tactical control.
Intense Atmosphere and Physical Demands
Fabián Ruiz, More than 77,000 fans packed the stadium in scorching heat, with the temperature reaching 91°F (33°C) and humidity pushing it to feel over 100°F (38°C). Real Madrid Despite the grueling weather, PSG showed no signs of slowing down. The French side entered the match fresh from a 5–0 UEFA Champions League final win over Inter Milan and carried that momentum confidently into this fixture.
Real Madrid, by contrast, looked disorganized and sluggish. They were without suspended Dean Huijsen and injured Trent Alexander-Arnold—both crucial to their defensive setup.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, must return to the drawing board after their heaviest defeat in recent tournament memory.
Their replacements struggled to cope with PSG’s relentless pace and creative combinations.
Post-Match Comments and the Road to the Final
After the game, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois publicly apologized to fans for the disappointing performance, acknowledging that the team didn’t show the spirit expected at this level. PSG’s manager praised the team’s ruthlessness and unity, stating they were “focused on the final, not individuals.”
Gonçalo Ramos added the fourth goal in the 87th minute to complete the rout. PSG now advances to face Chelsea in the Club World Cup final this coming Sunday, Real Madrid aiming to crown a historic season with another major international title.
Conclusion
Fabián Ruiz’s double strike powered PSG to a commanding 4–0 win over Real Madrid in what many are calling one of the most complete performances of the season. With confidence soaring and tactical plans executed flawlessly, PSG now stands one win away from global club glory. Real Madrid, meanwhile, must return to the drawing board after their heaviest defeat in recent tournament memory.
