Three key battles in PSG-Madrid

• PSG top scorer against Real breakout defender
• Mbappe v Marquinhos will be marquee match-up
• Can Alexander-Arnold keep Kvaratskhelia quiet?

Ousmane Dembele v Fran Garcia 

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid C.F. face their toughest FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ tests when the European giants meet in Wednesday's semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.

PSG could have their top scorer Ousmane Dembele back in the starting XI. After missing the group stage with a quadriceps injury, the winger has come off the bench the last two games and scored his 34th goal of the season to clinch a 2-0 quarter-final victory against FC Bayern München.

Tasked with slowing down Dembele will be Fran Gracia, one of Real Madrid's breakout stars at the Club World Cup. The 25-year-old left-back has struggled with consistency this season, but he has strung together standout performances in all five tournament games for Los Blancos.

Garcia has been reenergized in new coach Xabi Alonso's system, which requires full-backs to be heavily involved in attack. In addition to helping the Real Madrid press smother the opposition, Garcia has made meaningful goal contributions, recording an assist in a 3-1 victory against CF Pachuca and scoring a first-time strike in a 3-2 quarter-final win against Borussia Dortmund.

---

Kylian Mbappe v Marquinhos

Each team features incredible star power, but perhaps the most mouth-watering match-up is Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe against PSG center-back Marquinhos.

Mbappe missed the group stage after being hospitalised with acute gastroenteritis and came off the bench the last two games. Any doubts about his fitness were put to rest against Dortmund, when he produced a stoppage-time scissor-kick that ended up being the match-winner.

Alonso hinted this week that Mbappe will get his first Club World Cup start if the French star proves in training that he is healthy enough for regular duty. Even if 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia starts, Mbappe will eventually come off the bench and line up against Marquinhos, the veteran anchor of PSG's backline.

For as much attention PSG deservedly receive for their awe-inspiring attack, they remain solid in the back thanks to their 31-year-old captain. Going up against Mbappe, who left PSG for Real Madrid last year after seven seasons with Les Parisiens, will only add to the motivation of Marquinhos.

---

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia v Trent Alexander-Arnold

Wherever the ball goes, this game will showcase intriguing battles between world-class level talents. When PSG have possession and drive forward on the left side, the mesmerizing dribbling skill of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be on display.

The 24-year-old Georgian is routinely an absolute nightmare to defend, and with Dembele attracting attention on the other side of the pitch, Kvaratskhelia could regularly find himself in one-v-one situations with the ball at his feet and his marker in retreat.

Real Madrid will have no qualms about new right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold taking on Kvaratskhelia by himself. The English international left Liverpool to seek new challenges, and he will surely get one against PSG's lethal left winger.

---

• Buy tickets
• Watch the Club World Cup live and for free on DAZN