PSG prove they are real contenders for the FIFA Club World Cup with Atletico Madrid destruction

If Paris Saint-Germain had any doubters following their UEFA Champions League triumph last month, there are surely very few of them remaining after the French side were dominant in a 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday in Pasadena, California.

The Parisians showed that they can play patient, studious football and also displayed a superior level of athleticism when speed and power were required as Atletico could not figure out how to break down the European champions in their Group B encounter at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Spreading the goals around with four different players on the score sheet, PSG sent a message in Sunday's match that they are rightfully among the favourites to lift the trophy at the end of this month-long celebration of club football in the United States.

Here are the key talking points of PSG's big win over Atletico at the Rose Bowl, as seen by DAZN News.

PSG vs Atletico Madrid highlights

PSG playing like champions

It doesn't need to be said, but PSG have once again proven that they are one of the top teams in the world.

Paired with a savvy Atletico side in their tournament opener, the Parisians were the best team on the pitch from the opening whistle, as they controlled possession in a manner reminiscent of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

@PSG_Inside

But tiki-taka this was not, as PSG were able to thwart a determined Atletico side who changed their approach in the second half, resorting to physicality to try to unnerve their French opponents.

Unbothered by the increase in physical play, PSG simply turned up the athleticism and showed that they are able to run with the best of them, even in the stifling Southern California heat.

Doué influential

One of the breakout stars from the past season is Désiré Doué, who has proven himself a key attacker for Luis Enrique since joining from Rennes last summer.

The 20-year-old was influential on Sunday, fortifying PSG's right flank alongside Achraf Hakimi and punishing the Atletico players on that wing.

Doué was involved in the game's opening goal, combining with Hakimi to break down the Atletico defence and help get the ball to Fabian Ruiz for the opening strike.

Doué was also indirectly responsible for denying Atletico a goal in the second half as he was fouled by substitute Koke in the build-up before Julian Alvarez's wonderful strike beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

The goal was called back upon VAR review as Doué's attempted dribble was disrupted by a hard challenge from the 33-year-old.

Atletico frustrations boil over

PSG's masterclass was fun for everyone to watch, except Atletico.

The Spanish side were a step behind all afternoon, from the first half when they held less than 20% of the possession, to the second half in which they attempted to play a more physical style to disrupt PSG's dominance but instead just put themselves into trouble with the referee.

It was a long day at the office for Diego Simeone's men, but the second half was truly one to forget as they saw the aforementioned Alvarez goal called off before going down a man due to Clement Lenglet's lack of discipline late in the match. 

To put a cherry on top, Atletico gave up a last-second penalty when already 3-0 down, leading to Lee Kang-in scoring with literally the last touch of the match.

It was the kind of outing that managers need their players to forget quickly, and Atletico would be wise to do the same as they must now travel to the state of Washington, several thousand kilometres north of Pasadena, to take on the Seattle Sounders in four days' time.

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