CLASH OF TITANS! PSG vs. Real Madrid: The Club World Cup Semifinal That's Truly an "Anticipated Final"!

The calendar has gifted us a showdown that's much more than just a semifinal. Today, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid face off in the 2025 Club World Cup, in a match that, without a doubt, feels like an anticipated final. This clash between two of the planet's most powerful clubs will not only determine the second finalist of the tournament but also reignite a recent rivalry that left both scars and glory. The last time the Merengues and the Parisians crossed paths was in the intense 2022 Champions League Round of 16.

That knockout tie was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Kylian Mbappé as a protagonist on both sides and a Real Madrid team that, against all odds, mounted a comeback in an ecstatic Santiago Bernabéu. Today, the setting is different: New York, the Club World Cup, and new faces in both dugouts. But the essence remains the same: two teams with star-studded rosters and the ambition to dominate world football. What has changed since that last encounter? How do both teams arrive at this crucial match? Join us as we analyze the details of this duel that promises to be unforgettable.

The Last Great Clash: Champions League 2022, A Comeback for the Ages

To understand the magnitude of today's duel, it's crucial to recall its last precedent: the 2021-2022 Champions League Round of 16.

• First Leg in Paris: PSG Dominance and Mbappé's Goal: The first leg, played at the Parc des Princes, was dominated by PSG. Pochettino's team, with Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé in attack, subdued Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappé's agonizing goal in added time (90+4') gave the Parisians the victory (1-0), leaving the tie uphill for the Blancos. The feeling was that PSG, finally, was serious about winning the Champions League.
• Second Leg in Madrid: Benzema's Magical Night and the White Comeback: The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed one of Real Madrid's most recent magical nights in the Champions League. With PSG dominating and Mbappé making it 0-1 (making it 0-2 on aggregate), everything seemed decided. However, a Donnarumma error and a brutal reaction from Karim Benzema, who scored a hat-trick in just 17 minutes, turned the tie around (3-1 for Madrid, 3-2 aggregate). It was a demonstration of Real Madrid's European "mystique" and a crushing blow to the PSG project.
• Mbappé, the Unexpected Protagonist: The irony of that tie was that Kylian Mbappé, the star Real Madrid wanted to sign, was the main tormentor in the first leg and almost in the second. Now, Mbappé wears the Real Madrid jersey, adding an extra layer of intrigue and anticipation to this new encounter.

What Has Changed Since 2022: New Faces and Styles

Both teams have evolved significantly since that Champions League encounter.

• Real Madrid Under Xabi Alonso: While in 2022 Madrid was managed by Carlo Ancelotti, the current season finds them under the command of Xabi Alonso (assuming he became the new coach from June 1, 2025). Alonso has brought a new philosophy, prioritizing tactical solidity, balance, and more controlled build-up play. His team is solid defensively and lethal on the counter-attack, with a great ability to adapt to the opponent.
• PSG Under Luis Enrique: For their part, PSG has changed Pochettino for Luis Enrique. The Spanish coach has implemented a playing style more based on possession, high pressing, and associative play. He has sought to give the team a more defined identity, moving away from an over-reliance on individual brilliance. His team is now "a perfectly balanced and well-equipped team."
• The Mbappé Factor: The biggest difference, undoubtedly, is Kylian Mbappé's presence at Real Madrid. What was once their main threat is now their most powerful asset. His knowledge of PSG and his ability to unbalance defenses will be crucial. This radically changes the dynamic of Madrid's attack and PSG's defensive approach.
• Reinforcements and Departures: Both teams have had significant movements in their squads, incorporating new talents and bidding farewell to others. These changes have shaped how they play and how they adapt to different situations.

This is not a group stage or league match; it's a semifinal of a global tournament, with an expanded format that adds prestige.

• An "Anticipated Final": The quality of both contenders and their historical weight make this match perceived by many as a final in itself. The winner will be the clear favorite to lift the trophy in New York.
• Fatigue and Calendar: Both teams arrive with the accumulated matches of the Club World Cup itself. Fatigue can play an important role, and squad depth will be key for both coaches.
• The Trophy at Stake: Winning the first Club World Cup under this new format is a huge incentive. It's an opportunity to mark a milestone in football history.

The match will be a tactical chess game between two coaches with defined styles.

• Real Madrid's Press vs. PSG's Build-Up: Real Madrid, inspired by Bayern's lesson, will seek to suffocate PSG with a high press, preventing their creative players from building play comfortably. PSG's ability to escape this pressure will be vital.
• Madrid's Attack vs. PSG's Defense: Real Madrid, with Mbappé and Vinicius, will test PSG's defensive solidity, which also suffers the significant absence of Willian Pacho (sent off in the quarter-finals). Pacho's absence, an undisputed starter, could be a decisive factor.
• Midfield Control: The battle in the central area will be crucial. The team that manages to impose its rhythm and win individual duels in midfield will have a significant advantage.

The Club World Cup 2025 semifinal between PSG and Real Madrid is a gift for football lovers. It's the re-edition of a recent classic, but with new pieces and a global trophy at stake. The "anticipated final" is here, and only one of these giants can advance to fight for glory. Let the show begin!