Paris Saint-Germain produced a devastating performance to destroy Real Madrid 4-0 and book their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final, brutally ending Xabi Alonso’s brief unbeaten start in charge of Los Blancos.
Despite enjoying the backing of most of the MetLife Stadium crowd, Real were embarrassed from the outset.
Two catastrophic defensive errors inside nine minutes handed the French side a 2-0 lead, with Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele punishing the chaos.
Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio were both culpable as PSG gleefully tore through the Spanish giants.
By the time Ruiz bagged his second of the night following a sweeping move involving Achraf Hakimi, the contest was all but over.
Real’s response was toothless. Alonso’s side lacked structure, composure and any sense of urgency.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia should have made it four before the break, and Desire Doue had a goal ruled out after halftime, but the Parisians were never troubled.
Bradley Barcola’s late assist for Goncalo Ramos added gloss to a scoreline that frankly flattered Madrid. Kylian Mbappe’s quiet outing was about the only low note for PSG on a night when they utterly outclassed the 14-time European champions.
With Chelsea waiting in the final, Luis Enrique’s relentless and razor-sharp side look ready to crown their continental dominance with a world title.
Real, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a humiliating lesson in elite football.
