Atlético Madrid were outclassed in opening group stage match of the FIFA Club World Cup by European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Played in the baking California sun at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Atlético offered little and suffered a lot in an eventual 4-0 defeat.
Fabián Ruíz opened the scoring with an accurate shot from outside the box before Vitinha doubled the lead just before half-time. Antoine Griezmann had been presented with an opportunity just before the second goal, but could only send his improvised shot into the arms of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Julián Alvarez had a goal ruled out as Atlético looked to improve in the second half, but Clément Lenglet's sending off gave Los Colchoneros little hope of a way back. Alexander Sørloth blazed the ball high from five yards out, but his team were unfortunately not awarded three points for the field goal.
Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in’s penalty wrapped up the three points for Luis Enrique's side, and Atleti have to regroup quickly before the next match against Seattle Sounders on Thursday.
Here are Into the Calderón's key takeaways from this one.
Struggles from familiar places
The overwhelming attacking force of PSG has regularly reduced opposition sides to nothing this season, but Atlético’s disasterclass was just as self-induced as it was enforced by the Parisians.
Evidence that this tournament is a continuation of the 2024/25 season was rife. Problems occurred in parts of the pitch that fans have been accustomed to during 2025's downfall; Lenglet gave away four penalties in the domestic season and in this, his first game since he signed a three-year contract last week, the Frenchman failed to clear his lines in the build-up of the opening goal and was sent off after picking up two avoidable yellow cards. Ironically, his absence from the next match could be the best thing to come from Sunday afternoon.
Between Lenglet, Javi Galán and Samuel Lino, the chronic issues plaguing Atleti’s left side served as a way of viewing the chasm in quality between the two teams. It shows just how much ground Atleti need to make up to challenge for the Champions League next season. Work to sign Álex Baena, Piero Hincapié and Andy Robertson should be doubled in efforts after this display because, as it stands, this limp flank wouldn't stand up against Auckland City.
Do or die
The potential financial gain and novelty of this competition lends itself as an inconvenience to how Diego Simeone and his team prepares the coming campaign. It is in no one's best interest to be playing competitive football in the summer, but the rewards on offer could benefit the club both in the bank and on the mantelpiece.
Captured from BBC Sport
The prize money could go some way to matching clubs’ asking prices of new players on Atlético’s radar, and the significance of winning this tournament could evolve should it gain prestige in years to come.
That being said, an early exit in the group stage could shape how well Atleti start the new league season in August. Getting back to Madrid before the end of the month would allow players like Julián Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Rodrigo De Paul to rest; when the new financial year begins, the club can hone in on new signings and clear deadwood as a competition that the Rojiblancos are unlikely to win anyway continues.
Organisational questions should be asked
Football at midday in California in June is not a good idea. It doesn't take a genius to work that one out, and we can add these poor match logistics to a long list of questionable/outright wrong actions made by FIFA in the design of this competition.
The French counterpoint to this will of course be that the heat was the same for both teams, which isn't quite the point being made. Both sides struggled amid temperatures that exceeded 31°C (88°F), players blowing hard after short sprints and perspiring profusely. Fortunately, short hydration breaks were implemented, and ice towels were draped over players' necks while plenty of fluids were on offer.
But it was the fans who took the brunt. With the sun at its highest point of the day (the match kicked off at noon local time) and no shade servicing the vast majority of the 80,000 in attendance, it was far from a pleasant viewing experience.
Atleti fan Hussein was present at the match and told Into the Calderón the heat was "unbearable," and that the only thing that got him through was the novelty of watching his team live for the first time.
Jan Oblak went to protest to the referee after the final whistle, Simeone pulled him away… Simeone then ended up arguing with the referee.@marca
pic.twitter.com/M2yR6fKbml
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) June 15, 2025
The heat appeared to get to referee István Kovács more than anyone else, with the Romanian handing out yellow cards like FIFA handing out free tickets. His VAR team must have been feeling it too, as they adjudged Koke to have committed a foul in the build-up to Julián's 58th-minute goal which saw the effort ruled out.
Late on, the VAR team called Kovács over to the monitor for a second time to award a penalty after Robin Le Normand shielded his face from the ball with his hands — an unfortunate end to an unfortunate Club World Cup debut.
:Curious Fact
Atlético Madrid has lost every game (four, including this last one against PSG) in which Kovacs has refereed. pic.twitter.com/6woljfH2Ah
— Atleti Fanatics (@atleti_fanatics) June 15, 2025