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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Will Castle and Chris Wilson

PSG vs Real Madrid live: Reaction as European champions demolish Madrid to seal Club World Cup final spot

Ousmane Dembele scored early to help PSG on their way to a famous win - (Getty Images)

PSG beat Real Madrid 4-0 with a dazzling display to seal a place in the Club World Cup final.

Xabi Alonso’s side were squeezed from the opening minutes and it showed when Ousmane Dembele nipped in to dispossess Raul Asencio before Fabian Ruiz tapped in.

And PSG had doubled their lead by the ninth minute, with Antonio Rudiger fluffing his lines and allowing Dembele to stroke in an accomplished finish.

The European champions continued to harry Madrid, with the Spaniards unable to get a foothold before a blistering PSG counter saw Achraf Hakimi set up Ruiz for the third.

And the damage was done in the first half, with Madrid toiling but unable to wrestle their way back into it as the Parisians closed out the game with Goncalo Ramos adding a fourth late on.

It was a brilliant result for PSG, and it’s now only Chelsea who stand in the way of Luis Enrique’s side as they look to add a world title to their maiden Champions League trophy.

Follow all the latest reaction from the MetLife Stadium below:

PSG vs Real Madrid LIVE

  • PSG beat Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the club World Cup to set up final against Chelsea
  • 88' GOAL! Ramos adds fourth late on [PSG 4-0 RMA]
  • 24' GOAL! Ruiz finishes off brilliant PSG counter[PSG 3-0 RMA]
  • 9' GOAL! Dembele capitalises on Rudiger error to double lead [PSG 2-0 RMA]
  • 6' GOAL! Ruiz taps in after Asecio mistake [PSG 1-0 RMA]

The lessons Xabi Alonso will have to learn as Real Madrid humbled by imperious PSG

22:40 , Chris Wilson

Is it too soon to call this “vintage PSG”? This iteration of the Parisian giants has only really begun to come into effect over the last eight months. But after watching the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan fall to their brilliance in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated their ability as a giant-killer on the global stage.

The mighty Real Madrid, one of the Club World Cup’s biggest draws to the American audience, were their latest victims.

To say that Xabi Alonso has been given a reality check in the Real hot seat might be a bit of a stretch. The levels between the side he’s inherited and the footballing powerhouse sculpted by Luis Enrique was apparent before a ball was kick. But if the former midfield maestro has his own hopes of “modernising” at the Estadio Bernabeu, he has a long way to go before the Galacticos can scratch the surface of what has been created in Paris.

The lessons Xabi Alonso will have to learn after Real Madrid suffer humbling by PSG

Alonso reacts

22:36 , Chris Wilson

“At the beginning the setback was strong enough, we knew that the task would be tough,” says Madrid manager Xabi Alonso.

“Today, at the moment the feeling is not the best, but we’ll have to try and learn from today. It’ll take time.

“At the moment we need a proper break. This is not the beginning of next year, just the end of the season,” he adds.

“We can take positives, and lessons from today. We’re not the first to face such a good team, and today we’ve faced one of the best in the world. We want to be there, but it’ll take time,” he says as he finishes.

(Getty Images)

Enrique reacts

22:26 , Chris Wilson

Luis Enrique says that PSG “are happy with the performance”.

“I feel great. It’s lways difficult to play that kind of match. We started very well.

“It’s too much heat for me, you need to play in different conditions to watch a better show, but both teams did great.

“We’re in a special season, a special moment, and we deserved to win,” he adds.

On Dembele, he says: “It’s the first match we could use Ousmane. He’s the best player this season by a long way. He deserves to win everything because he gave everything to the team, and we’re going to achieve trophies that are very important.”

“One more step against a good team like Chelsea, they performed well the whole competition, but now it’s time for us to prepare. We want to make history,” he adds as he finishes.

(Getty Images)

Ruiz reacts

22:18 , Chris Wilson

Fabian Ruiz, whose goals set the stage for PSG, says that it “was an incredible game, a perfect performance”.

“The team did really well despite the heat.

“[It was a] brilliant performance against a really top team in Real Madrid,” he says.

“[I’m] very happy with my goals but above all with the win. Now we need to celebrate that we’re through [and prepare].

On the final, he says: “It’ll be difficult, they’re a good team who had a good end to the season, they’re doing well but hopefully we can win it.”

FULL-TIME! PSG 4-0 Real Madrid

22:13 , Chris Wilson

What a performance from PSG. Pressed, harried and stifled Madrid and made it almost impossible for them to create anything.

At the same time, their press helped them score the first two before a scintillating counter-attack showed PSG at their best and ended with a brilliant goal from Ruiz.

Ominous signs for both Chelsea and the rest of Europe.

FULL-TIME! PSG 4-0 Real Madrid

22:08

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

FULL-TIME! PSG 4-0 Real Madrid

22:01 , Chris Wilson

The referee doesn't even add any more time and he brings the semi-final to an end!

PSG book a place in the final with a famous result in New Jersey.

GOAL! PSG 4-0 Real Madrid

21:59 , Chris Wilson

88 mins

GOAL! It’s a fourth!

The ball is spread wide to Ramos down the right, and he finds Barcola with the squared pass across goal. The Frenchman can’t get the shot away but he return the pass to Ramos, who turns and rifles an effort into the back of the net!

(Getty Images)

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:57 , Chris Wilson

87 mins

Valverde can’t find Mbappe with the through ball, and he flings his arms around in frustration.

Militao wins the ball well in the PSG half but rather than pass he drives an effort right at Donnarumma.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:55 , Chris Wilson

85 mins

Valverde wins a corner, but Militao powers a header wide.

(Getty Images)

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:53 , Chris Wilson

82 mins

Another sub for Madrid as Lucas Vasquez comes on for Guler.

All a bit pedestrian now at the MetLife, with PSG just knocking it around and Madrid barely chasing them.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:50 , Chris Wilson

79 mins

Hakimi has the chance to lay it on a plate for Ramos as Neves finds him on the overlap, but the Moroccan can’t find Ramos when they had a 2-v-1.

Mendes makes way for Kang In Lee.

Real Madrid have thrown in the towel

21:47 , Will Castle in New York

Real Madrid’s substitutions over the past 10 minutes indicate they’ve thrown in the towel.

Withdrawing Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham and bringing on veterans Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal - against this devastating PSG side - it’s hard to imagine an Istanbul-style fightback.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:46 , Chris Wilson

75 mins

Carvajal goes into the book for clipping Barcola. We have a hydration break again now.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:43 , Chris Wilson

73 mins

Hakimi slips a great ball into the path of Ramos, though the Portuguese is off-balance as he fires wide.

(Getty Images)

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:41 , Chris Wilson

71 mins

Dani Carvajal comes on for Gonzalo Garcia.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:39 , Chris Wilson

70 mins

PSG counter and Ramos is 1-v-1, but he can’t get the shot away cleanly.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:38 , Chris Wilson

68 mins

Modric scoops a pass into the path of Garcia but he can't get the shot away.

Madrid come again and Militao wins a corner as he sees his cross put behind.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:37 , Chris Wilson

66 mins

And subs for PSG too as Doue and Ruiz come off for Senny Mayulu and Warren Zaire-Emery.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:35 , Chris Wilson

64 mins

Great work from Bellingham to carry from his own half to the edge of the box, but he sees his shot blocked.

Alonso makes three changes, as Bellingham, Asencio and Vini Jr come off for Luka Modric, Éder Militao and Brahim Diaz.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:32 , Chris Wilson

62 mins

It’s PSG how have the next chance, with Doue crossing in for Barcola, but there’s a good sliding challenge to block the shot.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:31

60 mins

Madrid have had their best spell of possession so far but it seems more like it’s because PSG are allowing it rather than Madrid having wrestled control.

Los Blancos are still struggling to create anything in the final third.

(Getty Images)

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:29 , Chris Wilson

58 mins

Now some subs for PSG.

Dembele and Kvaratskhelia come off for Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:28 , Chris Wilson

56 mins

Not a lot going on in this one at present, with Madrid being afforded a little more time on the ball, though Vini Jr and co are unable to do anything with it.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:24 , Chris Wilson

52 mins

A first real attempt from Mbappe but he fires well over from the edge of the box.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:21 , Chris Wilson

50 mins

Tchouameni is down briefly after a challenge from Neves.

DISALLOWED GOAL! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:18 , Chris Wilson

48 mins

PSG have the ball in the net again but the flag is up.

Dembele had made the run a little early before squaring it to Doue.

KICK-OFF! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:15 , Chris Wilson

Back underway at the MetLife!

HALF-TIME! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:14 , Chris Wilson

The players are coming back onto the pitch, so we’ll be going again soon.

A harrowing half of football from 'vintage PSG'

21:12 , Will Castle in New York

Is it too soon to call this “vintage PSG”? This iteration of the Parisians, rebranded into a footballing powerhouse by Luis Enrique, isn’t much more than eight months old. But that was a harrowing half, especially from a Real Madrid perspective.

Behind Donnarumma’s goal, the small designated section of hardcore PSG fans are completely surrounded by stunned white shirts in their seats. No surprise they were the only ones making the noise now. Outnumbered or not, this PSG side do not need a “12th man” to do the business.

HALF-TIME! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:10 , Chris Wilson

Well, what a performance from PSG in that opening 45’.

A superb press throughout to unlock their first two goals and stifle Madrid throughout, and then when the chance came a brilliant counter-attack unlocked the Madrid defence in the blink of an eye.

Even at 3-0 they didn’t shut up shop – they look like they want four or five.

The question is, what can Alonso do to stop Luis Enrique’s side?

HALF-TIME! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:05 , Chris Wilson

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

HALF-TIME! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

21:00 , Chris Wilson

The referee blows the whistle and the first half comes to an end!

A one-sided half in New Jersey, with PSG having been superb throughout. They’ve suffocated Madrid and though they were fortunate in the first two goals, the third perfectly illustrated how much quality they possess and how quickly they can decimate sides.

A disappointing half for Xabi Alonso, but there wasn’t much he could do in fairness.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:58 , Chris Wilson

45 +2 mins

Real Madrid have had one attempt on target and 24.3 per cent possession, to help illustrate how this game has gone.

PSG win a corner. Vitinha sees his ball in come all the way across to Mendes, and the jul-back stings the palms of Courtois from within the area.

Madrid counter and Neves is booked for a cheap foul.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:56

45 mins

Dembele is flagged offside as he sees his cross booted away.

We’ll have three minutes of added time here.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:53 , Chris Wilson

42 mins

Irritation from Bellingham as he does well to win the ball and ship it to Vini Jr, but the Brazilian’s attempt at the through ball is so weak.

Gonzalo Garcia tries to get past Mendes but the Portuguese wins the ball before winning a foul.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:51 , Chris Wilson

40 mins

CLOSE! He’ll be disappointed.

PSG counter and it’s spread wide to Kvaratskhelia in the box. He cuts inside to make room for the shot but blasts it wide of the far post.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:49 , Chris Wilson

38 mins

Mbappe is down in the box wanting a penalty but it’s a good challenge from Joao Neves.

The Frenchman stays down for treatment.

(Getty Images)

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:48 , Chris Wilson

36 mins

Brilliant stuff from Kvaratskhelia to dispossess his man on the edge of his own box before nutmegging the defender and racing into the Madrid half.

Doue is racing clear on the other side but the Georgian can't get the pass away, with Bellingham doing well to make the recovery challenge.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:47 , Chris Wilson

34 mins

Cooling break over.

Madrid are still struggling to get a hold of the ball, and there are more worries as a ball forward is looking for Doue, though Courtois is off his line well.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:42

31 mins

First cooling break of the day as a PSG attack ends with Dembele being flagged offside.

Madrid certainly need a rest!

Real Madrid in hell against this PSG press

20:41 , Will Castle in New York

PSG’s pressing intensity, in this sweltering heat, is nothing short of remarkable. It has Real Madrid in hell.

Their players are resorting to bringing down their opponents at any chance they can get for a brief reprieve, with Tchouameni hacking down Hakimi in reckless fashion. A warranted booking.

Xabi Alonso’s side have a long 60 minutes of football left here.

PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:40 , Chris Wilson

28 mins

An unstoppable move from PSG and they are really teaching Madrid a lesson in New Jersey.

Even now, the Parisians are dominating possession and look more likely to add another as Hakimi wins a corner.

GOAL! PSG 3-0 Real Madrid

20:36 , Chris Wilson

24 mins

GOAL! What a goal this is.

Contrary to the other goals, this is a real work of art from PSG.

It’s spread wide to Hakimi on the counter and he finds Dembele with the diagonal pass, and the Frenchman plays him in on the one-two.

Madrid’s defence has stepped up and Hakimi finds himself through on goal, leading a 3-v-1 for PSG.

The Moroccan squares it to Ruiz, who takes a touch to evade the defender before lashing a finish into the far corner.

(Getty Images)

PSG 2-0 Real Madrid

20:34 , Chris Wilson

24 mins

Much better from Mbappe as he begins the counter in his half and ends in the box, cutting inside before seeing his shot blocked.

PSG 2-0 Real Madrid

20:32 , Chris Wilson

21 mins

Briefly looks like there’ll be a chance for Madrid as Vini Jr races onto a long ball but he’s beaten to it just as he almost git a shot away.

The camera pans to an irritated-looking Florentino Perez in the stands. His Club World Cup dream looks like it’s going in the same bin as the Super League for now.

He’ll be weighing up potential centre-back signings as we speak, you'd imagine.

PSG 2-0 Real Madrid

20:29 , Chris Wilson

18 mins

Patient play from PSG, who of course are in no rush at the moment. Kvaratskhelia sees a cross headed away.

Madrid can’t get a hold in possession at all at present.

PSG 2-0 Real Madrid

20:27

15 mins

Rudiger thinks he has a chance to make amends but he can’t get a shot away as the free-kick drops to him.

A frantic start here but it’s calmed down for now, though PSG are still looking the more dangerous of the two sides.

PSG 2-0 Real Madrid

20:24

12 mins

Madrid barely had a chance to regroup before their defenders made another howler. They look bewildered out there.

PSG dominating possession at the moment in New Jersey.

Real Madrid at risk of Inter-style demolition

20:21 , Will Castle in New York

Two absolute howlers from Real Madrid's centre-back pairing, both pounced on by Ousmane Dembele to give PSG an early two-goal lead.

Real look at risk of facing the same fate as Inter Milan. Nightmare start for Xabi Alonso.

GOAL! PSG 2-0 Real Madrid

20:21 , Chris Wilson

9 mins

GOAL! Oh my word! Another ridiculous goal.

Rudiger is the final man and he fluffs his lines as he tries to make the pass. It comes off his left as he goes to pass with his right, and again Dembele nips in.

He’s clean through and he races into the box before opening up his body and sliding the finish into the far corner!

(Getty Images)

GOAL! PSG 1-0 Real Madrid

20:18 , Chris Wilson

6 mins

GOAL! What on Earth are Madrid doing?

The cross comes to Asencio in the box but he dwells on it instead of clearing, and Dembele nips in to take it off him.

Courtois comes off his line and takes the Frenchman down, but the ball rolls to Ruiz and he taps into an open net!

(Getty Images)

PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

20:17 , Chris Wilson

5 mins

CLOSE! First shot on target falls to PSG, with Fabian Ruiz curling in a n effort that Courtois pushes away.

Moments later we have the best chance yet, as PSG work it wide before Doue fizzes in a cross that Dembele can only hit at the ‘keeper!

PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

20:13 , Chris Wilson

3 mins

Moments later, Kvaratskhelia has his first involvement as he breaks into the box before firing wide.

A quick start at the MetLife!

PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

20:12 , Chris Wilson

2 mins

Madrid have their first counter of the game and it ends with Tchouameni seeing his shot deflected behind.

KICK-OFF! PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

20:11 , Chris Wilson

Underway at the MetLife Stadium!

Sea of white in the MetLife

20:10 , Will Castle

It’s a sea of white in the MetLife Stadium, with there being no prizes for deciphering which team will have the backing of the fans this afternoon.

Real Madrid will have the 12th man but go into the game as the underdogs against the European champions. Saying that, Fifa may fear the final attendance figure if PSG are to progress.

PSG vs Real Madrid LIVE

20:05 , Chris Wilson

Team are coming out onto the pitch now, so we should be underway soon.

Kick-off delayed

19:56 , Will Castle in New York

Update from the MetLife - kick-off for Real Madrid vs PSG has been delayed by 10 minutes.

Both teams arrived to the stadium late after being caught in traffic.

PSG vs Real Madrid LIVE

19:51 , Chris Wilson

The players will be making their way out from the tunnel one by one anytime now...

PSG vs Real Madrid LIVE

19:47 , Chris Wilson

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Club World Cup final

19:40 , Chris Wilson

The winner of this match will of course face Chelsea in the Club World Cup final.

That matches takes place at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday, 13 July, with kick-off at 8pm BST once again.

Joao Pedro announces himself to Chelsea to show boyhood club Fluminense how far he’s come

19:35 , Chris Wilson

The report from the other semi-final...

Against a legend of old, Chelsea have a new Brazilian to deify. They are potentially 90 minutes away from becoming world champions, and they have a mid-tournament acquisition to thank.

Fluminense’s journey in the Club World Cup has been nothing short of remarkable. Running on financial fumes, they’ve slayed European giants and Saudi money machines. Thiago Silva, a beloved former Chelsea figurenow spending his final footballing days captaining his boyhood club, has been lauded as the heart and soul of their unexpected success. But at the feet of fellow local boy Joao Pedro, Fluminense’s dream of conquering the globe came crashing down.

Joao Pedro announces himself to Chelsea to down boyhood club Fluminense

How to watch the Club World Cup

19:30 , Chris Wilson

With just 30 minutes to go until kick-off, here’s a reminder as to how you can watch tonight’s game.

DAZN will show each match of the tournament live, including the final, for free in the UK.

All users can watch a live stream on television and mobile devices by signing up for the company’s DAZN Freemium service, with the option to watch ad-free coverage for £14.99. Users can watch DAZN from anywhere by using the DAZN App on TVs, smartphones and any device with a web browser.

How did Madrid reach the semi-finals?

19:20 , Chris Wilson

Madrid started Xabi Alonso’s tenure with a disappointing 1-1 draw to Al-Hilal in their opener, though they followed it with a 3-1 win over Pachuca to all but guarantee qualification, before sealing top spot in Group H with a 3-0 win over Salzburg.

A professional – if uninspiring – display followed in a 1-0 win over Juventus in the round of 16, before Los Blancos kicked into gear with a 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, in a game which featured one of the goals of the tournament so far in an overhead kick from Kylian Mbappe.

Tonight, the Frenchman meets his old side for the first time since his move to Madrid in June 2024.

APTOPIX CWC Real Madrid Borussia Dortmund Soccer (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

How did PSG reach the semi-finals?

19:10 , Chris Wilson

PSG have been one of the favourites since the beginning, and they earned that tag with a 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid in their opening game.

However, there was a brief stumble for Luis Enrique’s side in a 1-0 loss to Botafogo, before the Parisians wrapped up first place in Group B with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.

That result set up a tie against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in the round of 16, though it was easy pickings again as the French side ran out 4-0 winners.

The quarter-finals brought the sternest test yet for the European champions, but despite going down to nine men at one point, PSG secured a well-earned 2-0 win over the German champions to book their spot in the final four of the competition.

APTOPIX CWC PSG Bayern Munich Soccer (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Why Real Madrid represent everything that the ‘new PSG’ tries to fight

19:00 , Chris Wilson

What hasn’t already been said about Luis Enrique’s stunning rebrand of Paris Saint-Germain? From a team reliant on its superstars and thus fallible to their egos, to the harmonious footballing powerhouse that at long last delivered a Champions League title, their holy grail, to the French capital. There is no shortage of superlatives for a side that, at this rate, could become one of the best ever.

The club’s entire identity used to revolve around a select few players. There was understandably no room left in the spotlight when the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe were around. They were the club, they were the brand. But with their highlight reels came their tendency to cause division off the pitch.

Why Real Madrid represent everything that the ‘new PSG’ tries to fight

Trent Alexander-Arnold absent for Real Madrid

18:43 , Will Castle in New York

No Trent Alexander-Arnold in the matchday squad for Real Madrid. We’re hearing it’s a last-minute injury.

Aurelien Tchouameni looks like he’ll be shoehorned into the position and will face a seriously tough test against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Team news

18:39 , Will Castle

PSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Mendes; Fabian, Neves, Vitinha; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Tchouameni, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Bellingham, Guler; Mbappe, Gonzalo, Vincius Jr.

Kylian Mbappe scores as Real Madrid knock Borussia Dortmund out of Club World Cup

18:35 , Chris Wilson

The report from Madrid’s quarter-final win...

Real Madrid edged past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a dramatic Club World Cup quarter-final on Saturday to set up a last-four clash with Paris St Germain.

The Spanish giants stamped their authority on the match early at the MetLife Stadium, dominating possession and opening a two-goal lead thanks to strikes by Gonzalo and Fran Garcia in the 10th and 20th minutes.

Gonzalo, the 21-year-old forward continuing his breakout tournament, opened the scoring with a close-range volley from Arda Guler’s cross.

Kylian Mbappe scores as Real Madrid knock Dortmund out of Club World Cup

Club World Cup results

18:23 , Chris Wilson

A reminder of the results from the recent rounds of the competition...

QUARTER-FINALS

Friday 4 July

Match 57: Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea

Match 58: Fluminense 2-1 Al-Hilal

Saturday 5 July

Match 59: PSG 2-0 Bayern Munich

Match 60: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund

SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday 8 July

Match 61: Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea

How to watch the Club World Cup

18:17 , Chris Wilson

DAZN will show each match of the tournament live, including the final, for free in the UK.

All users can watch a live stream on television and mobile devices by signing up for the company’s DAZN Freemium service, with the option to watch ad-free coverage for £14.99. Users can watch DAZN from anywhere by using the DAZN App on TVs, smartphones and any device with a web browser.

When is PSG vs Real Madrid?

18:12 , Chris Wilson

PSG will face Real Madrid at 8pm BST on Wednesday, 9 July (3pm local time). The match will take place at the MetLife Stadium – home of the New York Giants and New York Jets – in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The stadium will also host the final on Sunday, 13 July.

PSG vs Real Madrid LIVE

18:05 , Chris Wilson

European champions PSG will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the tournament so far.

PSG have already overcome fellow European giants in the tournament, beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarter-finals, and are looking to add a world title to their maiden Champions League win in May.

Meanwhile 15-time European Cup winners Madrid – who knocked out Dortmund in the semis – had a disappointing end to the 2024/25 campaign, losing out on the La Liga title, but can salvage something in a competition that the club are supposedly desperate to win.

And with Xabi Alonso’s new-look Madrid side meeting Luis Enrique’s settled treble winners, it promises to be a fascinating match-up in New Jersey on Wednesday night.

Good evening

17:59 , Chris Wilson

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Club World Cup semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

These two European giants meet for a place in Sunday’s final against Chelsea, with the Parisians looking to add a world title to the Champions League they won in May.

Madrid, meanwhile, are known to be desperate to win the inaugural competition, with Xabi Alonso looking for a first trophy after just a few weeks in charge of a new side.

It promises to be a fascinating encounter in New Jersey, and we’ll have all the latest build-up and updates right here.

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