The best team in the world. Carved up Real Madrid like a fine Coq au Vin. A delight to all the senses. Leave it up to the French to know how to overthrow European royalty. They saw the Statue of Liberty when they landed in New York and unlocked that classic revolutionary spirit. Fired four past Los Blancos, and now they’re one game away from fulfilling one of the greatest runs of form by a club we’ve ever seen. The ultimate crown is theirs for the taking, but you can never underestimate Chelsea in an international cup final. The only team to have won every single European continental trophy. It should be a fun one on Sunday, even if just to see PSG take the field once again. By far one of the most captivating teams this summer.

Photography by: Peter Bonilla

Paris Saint-Germain delivered a devastating statement of intent on Wednesday afternoon, dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal at MetLife Stadium to set up a blockbuster final against Chelsea.

In a rematch colored by Kylian Mbappé’s reunion with his former club, it was his old teammates—not the returning star—who stole the spotlight. Fabián Ruiz scored a first-half brace and Ousmane Dembélé added a third as PSG overwhelmed a shaky Madrid side inside 30 minutes. Substitute Gonçalo Ramos capped the rout late, as PSG’s dream of a historic quadruple remains alive.

PSG struck with ruthless efficiency from the opening whistle, pouncing on Real Madrid’s defensive frailties. In just the sixth minute, a heavy touch from Raúl Asencio gifted Dembélé a chance. Thibaut Courtois saved the initial effort, but Ruiz was on hand to tap home the rebound into an empty net.

Three minutes later, it was déjà vu. Antonio Rüdiger coughed up possession under pressure, allowing Dembélé to race into the box and slot past Courtois for 2-0. Madrid looked stunned, and the Parisian attack kept coming.

PSG’s third goal, in the 24th minute, was a sweeping team move. Achraf Hakimi burst down the right before feeding Ruiz, who wrong-footed Asencio and calmly finished past the helpless Madrid keeper. It was a sequence that summed up the gulf between the teams: composure, coordination, and conviction.

Madrid boss Xabi Alonso’s decision to abandon the five-man backline that had served him well in earlier rounds backfired. Missing Trent Alexander-Arnold (injury) and Dean Huijsen (suspension), the reshuffled defense crumbled under PSG’s relentless pressure.

“It was a strong setback early on,” Alonso admitted post-match. “We are still building, and today showed how much further we have to go. PSG is a well-oiled machine. We’re just getting started.”

Madrid failed to register a shot on target until late in the second half, with even Mbappé—facing his former club for the first time—unable to spark a response. Luka Modrić made what is expected to be his final appearance for the club, but his introduction in the second half could not alter the script.

In the 87th minute, PSG added the exclamation point. A slick buildup freed Ramos in the box, and the Portuguese striker finished with authority before honoring the late Diogo Jota with his celebration.

“It was a perfect game,” said Ruiz, who earned Player of the Match honors. “To beat Real Madrid in this way, in these conditions, is something to be proud of.”

Now PSG turns its focus to Sunday’s final—an all-European showdown against Chelsea, who reached the final behind João Pedro’s brace against Fluminense.

For Madrid, it’s back to the drawing board. For PSG, just one more step remains in what could be a historic season.