UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face 15-time UCL champions Real Madrid in an all-European semi-final clash at the MetLife Stadium, with a place in the FIFA Club World Cup final at stake.
As earlier reported by SoftFootball the winner will face Chelsea, who booked their place in the final after seeing off Fluminense 2-0 in the first semi-final thanks to a clinical brace from new signing João Pedro.
This semi-final encounter could also feature the emotional reunion of Kylian Mbappé with his former club, PSG, for the first time since his high-profile switch to Real Madrid.
PSG earned their place in the semi-final after a spirited 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, despite finishing the match with just nine men.
According to Sky Sports, Desire Doue scored the breakthrough goal in the 78th minute, wrongfooting Manuel Neuer after Harry Kane had been dispossessed in the centre circle, but it was an awkward finale for the European champions when they had two players sent off.
After a historic quadruple-winning campaign, the French giants are hungry to cap their success with a Club World Cup triumph. However, the newly expanded tournament format, which now includes more European sides, has made the route to the trophy more competitive than in previous editions.
Still, PSG head into this clash in red-hot form, having not conceded in their last four knockout games across all competitions. In fact, only one team has scored against them in their last seven outings (Botafogo).
On the other hand, Real Madrid also had their own disciplinary concerns in the quarter-finals, with young defender Dean Huijsen receiving a red card in their intense 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund. Despite the setback, the Spanish giants are in high spirits and view Chelsea as a very beatable opponent in the final.
As Softfootball had previously confirmed, FIFA is expected to take disciplinary action against Chelsea and Palmeiras following the heated altercation between Richard Rios and Enzo Fernandez in their tense quarter-final clash.
The incident added another layer of drama to Chelsea’s 2-1 victory, which saw Estevão equalise before a late own goal from Weverton sealed the win for the Blues.
Now, with that chapter closed, all eyes turn to the blockbuster semifinal between PSG and Real Madrid. Historically balanced with Madrid edging five wins to PSG’s four across 12 encounters, this rivalry remains one of football’s most unpredictable.
With European pride, personal reunions, and the Club World Cup crown on the line, fans can expect nothing short of fireworks when these giants collide.
