Real Madrid have been eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup following a stunning 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals on Wednesday. The match, held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, saw the Spanish giants thoroughly outplayed by their French counterparts.
The highly anticipated clash marked Kylian Mbappé's first game against his former club since his move to Real Madrid. However, it was a forgettable reunion for the French superstar and his new team. PSG dominated the proceedings from the start, leaving little room for Xabi Alonso's side to make an impact.
Real Madrid's journey to the semi-final was already marked by a tense 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. That match saw a dramatic late surge from the German side, with a spectacular overhead kick from Mbappé ultimately proving decisive.
However, any hopes of carrying that momentum into the semi-final were quickly dashed. Compounding their challenges, Real Madrid were without key defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was sidelined due to a muscle injury sustained in training ahead of the PSG match. His absence was a significant blow to the team's defensive stability.
The selection headaches for manager Xabi Alonso were a talking point even before the crushing defeat, with debates around whether to start the in-form breakout star Gonzalo Garcia alongside the recently-ill Mbappé. In the end, the tactical decisions were not enough to overcome a rampant PSG.
In other club-related news, former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is reportedly leading a consortium in a bid to purchase his hometown club, Cardiff City. The retired Welsh forward has submitted a significant offer to take over the club, which was recently relegated to League One.
