Paris Saint-Germain head to FIFA Club World Cup promised land as Real Madrid crumble in semi-final

Paris Saint-Germain set up a 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final with Chelsea on Wednesday as they ran riot with a 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium.

A Fabián Ruiz double, plus goals for Ousmane Dembele and Gonçalo Ramos, saw Luis Enrique's side dominate Xabi Alonso's rivals on a hot New Jersey afternoon.

It marked the end of the road in the United States for Madrid, and for Luka Modric at the club, with the ex-Ballon d'Or winner bowing out off the bench in East Rutherford.

But for PSG, it sets up a chance to secure a continental double after UEFA Champions League success earlier this year, further cementing their status among the game's modern greats.

Here are the talking points from Wednesday's semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

PSG youth confirm frontrunner credentials

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Fifteen goals scored, one conceded - it has been an absolutely breathtaking tournament across the North Atlantic for the Ligue 1 heavyweights this summer.

So long the would-be bridesmaids of European football, Luis Enrique has unlocked something in their DNA following the end of their own Galacticos policy in Paris.

Of course, that is not to say they are without superstars of their own, with figures such as Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Gianluigi Donnarumma all key figures.

But with only skipper Marquinhos over 30 among their starting XI for this clash in East Rutherford, it is clear their reliance on youth has paid off with frontrunner status.

Xabi Alonso left with mountain to climb

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Such a superb 2023-24 season with Bayer Leverkusen was never going to be recaptured for a second term on the bounce in the Bundesliga for the Spaniard.

But even then, he must wonder whether it was the right decision to leave Germany behind for his old club after a first half where they were battered on all fronts.

Alonso has proven his nous, getting the slip on Bayern Munich and embarking on impressive European runs with Leverkusen, but Madrid is a wholly different beast.

Success at home and abroad is the measure by which they are held - and despite a last-four finish here, he will know the manner of their exit is not good enough.

Dembele leads race for Ballon d'Or

Sidelined at the start of the tournament after helping his team to their best-ever season back home in Europe, the France international exploded into life in New Jersey.

On his first start at the FIFA Club World Cup, Dembele laid on the opener for Ruiz before adding a second before the scoreboard clock had even enetered double-digits.

For much of the latter half of the 2024-25 season, it has felt like a two-horse race between him and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to claim the Ballon d'Or.

Now, with a second piece of continental silverware in his sights, it is arguably Dembele's honour to lose, capping a remarkable resurgence for the World Cup winner.

Can Mbappe coexist with Madrid megastars?

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While his former team take aim at another trophy - having won the one that eluded him most during his time at Parc des Pricnes - the forward faces a fascinating question.

With Luka Modric departed after a final cameo here, the matter of who will fill his leadership void remains a major question for Madrid to juggle with their superstar face.

As France captain, Mbappe has the experience and leadership to guide them through big games, but relative misfires in his first term means he will not have the armband.

Now, as Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham both look to further stamp authority on the team's creative genesis, can he find a way to balance his skills with theirs again?

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