PSG’s collective spirit shining through

• Paris Saint-Germain have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final
• Luis Enrique’s side brushed aside Real Madrid in a commanding 4-0 semi-final win
• Vitinha and Senny Mayulu spoke of PSG’s insatiable hunger for victory

“It’s in our DNA to go out there and always want to win.”

It seemed that for Senny Mayulu, Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic win over Real Madrid C.F. in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ was all in a day’s work. As if it was only natural that they had qualified for yet another final, which will see PSG take on Chelsea FC on Sunday, 13 July.

---

Watch every match live and free on DAZN

---

With four trophies added to their cabinet this season – the Trophée des Champions, the Coupe de France, Ligue 1 and of course the UEFA Champions League – few would have faulted the Parisians for taking their foot off the gas a little. But coasting is not an option, Les Rouge et Bleu want it all.

“Our coach [Luis Enrique] has instilled a winning mentality in us throughout the season. He laid the groundwork, and now it’s part of the team’s DNA, even if each of us already had that mindset of wanting to win everything before.”

Thanks to the Spanish tactician’s work, that winning mentality has become second nature for the team. It showed once again as PSG schooled Real Madrid 4-0, a scoreline that has practically become PSG’s hallmark at this Club World Cup, having also beaten Atlético de Madrid and Inter Miami CF by the same margin earlier on in the tournament.

Many expected an epic clash between the current European champions and their illustrious predecessors, but few would have predicted the events that unfolded, with PSG clamping down on Madrid’s defence and not allowing them time to settle in possession.

“They suffocated us with pressure. When we had possession, we couldn’t find any space to compose ourselves or pose any threat to them,” confessed Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who was gracious in defeat as he admitted they fell to an exceptional team.

“I think the difference was the way they pressed and the way we pressed; we weren’t as effective and we gave them too much time. They’re an excellent team, and when you give them too much time and space, they destroy you.”

---

Buy tickets to watch the final play out in New York New Jersey

---

With over 77,000 in attendance at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey, many may have found themselves wondering whether they had witnessed a symbolic passing of the torch from Real Madrid, a side famed for their relentless pursuit of silverware, to PSG, who are cleaning up this season.

Speaking to FIFA, Portuguese midfielder Vitinha said: “We don’t necessarily see it like that,” as he downplayed that characterisation. “We’ve just won the Champions League for the first time, and Real Madrid are still Real Madrid. But we’re very satisfied with our performance. I think we completely controlled the match, and the margin of victory could have been even bigger. We have great individual players, but we’re even better as a team. That’s our greatest strength.”

The UEFA Nations League winner with Portugal finished by saying: “It would mean a lot to win the Club World Cup, not just because it’s a great competition, but also because that would allow us to win all the trophies this season. That would be historic. We can’t let this opportunity pass us by.”

---