By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 16, 2025 03:18 AM • 142 views
Pasadena, California — June 16 Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in commanding fashion, sweeping aside La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid with a 4-0 victory at the iconic Rose Bowl on Sunday night. Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, rising star Senny Mayulu, and South Korean sensation Lee Kang-in sealed a statement win for the French champions, who looked every bit the title contenders in their tournament opener. In a clash that pitted contrasting styles — PSG's flair versus Atletico's grit — it was the Parisians who dictated the tempo and turned on the style, rendering Diego Simeone's side helpless and, at times, unrecognizable.
A Tactical Masterclass
Luis Enrique's side asserted control early on, pressing high and circulating the ball with precision. Their breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Fabian Ruiz, arriving late into the box, side-footed home a clever cut-back to open the scoring. PSG maintained the pressure and was rewarded again in first-half stoppage time. Vitinha, who had been pulling the strings in midfield, finished off a slick move to give the French side a deserved 2-0 cushion heading into the break.
VAR Denies Atletico a Lifeline
Atletico Madrid's best moment came in the 58th minute when Julian Alvarez found the net with a powerful strike — but the joy was short-lived. VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to a foul in the build-up, further compounding Atletico's frustration on a night when nothing went their way.
Simeone's men, known for their tenacity, struggled to cope with PSG's fluidity in midfield and were repeatedly carved open by the pace and movement of Enrique's front four.
Finishing with Flair
The final stages of the match saw PSG pile on the misery. Teenage midfielder Senny Mayulu added a third in the 87th minute, pouncing on a defensive lapse to calmly slot past Jan Oblak. Then, deep into stoppage time, Lee Kang-in stepped up to convert a penalty after a handball inside the box — a deserved reward for a player who was a constant menace throughout.
PSG's Perfect Start, Atletico Left Searching
With this commanding performance, PSG not only secured three points in Group B but also sent a clear message to the rest of the field: they are here to conquer the world stage. For Atletico, the defeat raises questions — not just about their tactical rigidity, but their mental preparedness for a competition that demands more than just resilience. Speaking post-match, PSG boss Luis Enrique emphasized balance: "It's a good start, but we know tournaments aren't won in the first game. We'll keep our focus and take it one match at a time." PSG now sit atop the group with momentum and confidence, while Atletico Madrid will need to regroup quickly if they hope to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
