Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The newly crowned European champions demonstrated their dominance early and never looked back, delivering a clinical performance in front of a crowd of 80,619 fans under the scorching California sun.
From the outset, PSG controlled the tempo, boasting an astonishing 82.6% possession in the first 15 minutes. Their fluid passing and sharp movement unsettled Atletico’s defense, culminating in the opening goal in the 19th minute. Fabian Ruiz unleashed a powerful, low strike from outside the penalty area that found the bottom corner past Jan Oblak, setting the tone for the match. Ruiz’s goal was a testament to PSG’s offensive quality, and the Spaniard’s influence was felt throughout the game.
Despite Atletico’s efforts to respond, including a close-range shot from Antoine Griezmann that was comfortably saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG maintained control. The French side’s deadly counter-attacks paid dividends just before halftime. Following a missed opportunity by Griezmann, PSG transitioned swiftly, with Vitinha weaving through the midfield and slotting a composed finish past Oblak to double the lead. Vitinha’s goal, scored in the 45+1 minute, was a highlight of the match and earned him the man of the match honors for his tidy ball control and creative passing.
Atletico’s hopes of a comeback were dashed early in the second half when Julian Alvarez netted a goal in the 57th minute. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review revealed a foul by Koke on Desire Doue in the buildup, much to the frustration of Diego Simeone’s side. The Spanish team’s struggles were compounded in the 78th minute when Clement Lenglet was shown a second yellow card for dissent, reducing Atletico to ten men. The red card stemmed from Lenglet’s protests after referee Istvan Kovacs failed to penalize an obstruction against Oblak, a moment that shifted the momentum decisively in PSG’s favor.
The numerical advantage allowed PSG to dominate even more, and substitute Senny Mayulu, fresh off a goalscoring cameo in the Champions League final just last month, sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 87th minute. Mayulu’s goal extinguished any remaining Atletico hopes and showcased PSG’s depth and attacking prowess.
As the match entered stoppage time, drama unfolded once more. Ibrahim Mbaye’s shot hit the post, and shortly after, a VAR check confirmed a handball by Atletico defender Robin Le Normand inside the penalty area. Lee Kang-in stepped up calmly to convert the penalty in the 95th minute, rounding off PSG’s emphatic 4-0 win.
Statistically, PSG’s dominance was clear: 74% possession, 16 shots with 11 on target, and only one save required from Donnarumma. Atletico struggled to create meaningful chances, managing just five shots and a single effort on target. The physicality of the match was evident with PSG receiving two yellow cards and Atletico four, alongside the crucial red card for Lenglet.
PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenges posed by the intense heat but remained pleased with his team’s performance. “Happy. I think we are competing at the same level as we were before. Even with this temperature and heat. You have to manage (the heat) because it’s the best time for the European countries, but it’s difficult to play in those conditions,” he told DAZN after the match. “Every single player has been developing, showing to the team their best quality. As a coach, I’m very happy.”
Vitinha, reflecting on his man of the match display, emphasized the team effort and the challenge of maintaining high standards. “A very good performance. As always I’m going to talk about the team. We did a very good game. It’s not easy, it’s difficult with this temperature. We did well against a very good team. Everybody knows Atletico is a tough team, an aggressive team. We managed to control all of the game,” he said. “The toughest thing to do is to maintain the level. That’s what I try to do.”
For Atletico Madrid, this defeat marked a tough milestone. It was the first time under Diego Simeone’s management since 2011 that the club conceded four goals, received a red card, and conceded a penalty in the same match. The Spanish side, which had been competitive in La Liga and close to title challengers Barcelona and Real Madrid, showed signs of being outmatched without significant reinforcements in the transfer market. Simeone’s squad is still working on acquisitions, contrasting with the financial muscle shown by other Spanish clubs.
Despite moments of pressure, Atletico’s best chance to reduce the deficit came in the 82nd minute when substitute Alexander Sorloth was presented with an open goal but shockingly missed from just a few yards out. This miss epitomized Atletico’s struggles throughout the match and underscored PSG’s defensive resilience.
PSG’s victory was part of a remarkable run, having won their last three matches across all competitions by an aggregate score of 12-0, including their 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month and a 3-0 triumph over Stade de Reims in the Coupe de France final. Their ruthless pressing, counter-attacks, and clinical finishing have positioned them as clear favorites for the Club World Cup title.
The atmosphere at the Rose Bowl was electric, with fans enjoying a sunny day out and the high-quality football on display. Luis Enrique’s side showed no signs of complacency, and their performance sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament.
Looking ahead, PSG will face Botafogo in their next Group C match on Thursday, June 19, 2025, back at the Rose Bowl. Atletico Madrid will take on Seattle Sounders the same day. Both teams will be eager to regroup and adjust after Sunday’s contrasting fortunes.
Elsewhere in the Club World Cup, Bayern Munich made a stunning statement with a 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City, highlighted by Jamal Musiala’s hat-trick in just 17 minutes. Meanwhile, Palmeiras and Porto played out a goalless draw in a tightly contested match at MetLife Stadium, with Palmeiras edging possession and shot counts.
As the tournament unfolds, PSG’s clinical display against Atletico Madrid has set the benchmark for excellence, showcasing why they are the team to watch. Can anyone halt their march to glory? For now, the European champions look unstoppable.
