Fabian Ruiz (#8) of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) shoots to score a goal in the semifinal game against Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 9, 2025. /VCG
Fabian Ruiz (#8) of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) shoots to score a goal in the semifinal game against Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 9, 2025. /VCG
Fabian Ruiz scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) built a three-goal lead in the first 24 minutes and routed Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday, advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea.
Ruiz scored in the sixth minute and Ousmane Dembele in the ninth following glaring mistakes by defenders Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger, and Ruiz made it 3-0 to cap a counter. Goncalo Ramos added a goal in the 87th.
Coming off their first European title, PSG will play for the championship on Sunday.
Real fared no better than Inter Milan, who were overrun by PSG 5-0 in the Champions League final. The 15-time European champions looked sluggish after traveling to Florida for training between games, and PSG had 76.5% possession in the first half.
Real's Kylian Mbappe was not a threat in his first game against his former team.
Luka Modric entered in the 64th in likely his last game for Madrid, his team since 2012. Eder Militao came in at the same time in his first game since tearing his right ACL on November 9, 2024.
PSG surged ahead after Lucas Beraldo's cross was mis-hit by Raul Asencio, Thibaut Courtois tipped the ball from Dembele and Ruiz slammed it into the empty net.
Dembele then took possession about 40 yards out after a Rudiger mis-hit, dribbled and slotted past Courtois.
PSG went the length of the field to make it 3-0. Hakimi exchanged passes with Dembele, then crossed for Ruiz, who maintained control despite Federico Valverde's challenge and scored from eight yards for his third goal of the tournament.
Madrid's defense was missing Dean Huijsen, who got a red card Saturday against Borussia Dortmund, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had right leg muscle discomfort.
Source(s): AP