PSG reinstated their dominance as they cruised past Spanish La Liga top side Atletico Madrid 4-0 to kick start their first ever Fifa Club World Cup campaign. The French Uefa Champions League defending champions dominated the early stages in searing heat at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
PSG enjoyed 82.6% ball possession in the first 15 minutes as Atletico struggled. They led when Fabian Ruiz rifled a low strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. Goncalo Ramos almost got the opener but missed with three attempts.
The goal finally came when Vitinha drifted through the middle of the Atletico defence minutes before half-time and slotted in the first goal. Oblak kept his side in the game by tipping Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s bending strike on to the crossbar minutes after the restart.
Julian Alvarez had a goal disallowed after VAR checked and said they was a foul by Koke on Desire Doue in the build-up. Atletico were reduced to 10 men in bizarre circumstances in the 78th minute when Clement Lenglet was shown a second yellow card.
The Spanish side should have pulled a goal back eight minutes from time, but substitute Alexander Sorloth missed an open goal from a few yards when a low cross found him at the far post. Substitute Senny Mayulu registered his name in school sheet as well.
The Ligue 1 one side scored four goals pasted the Spanish La Liga side. The game was the third in the ongoing Fifa Club World Cup. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami played a goalless draw with Al Ahly in the opening game and Bayern Munich demolished Auckland City 10-0.
