The 11 Shocking Names: Confirmed Lineups And Brutal 4-0 Tactical Analysis Of PSG Vs Real Madrid (Club World Cup 2025)

The football world was stunned on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, when Paris Saint-Germain delivered a comprehensive and utterly dominant 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium. This wasn't just a win; it was a tactical masterclass by Luis Enrique that exposed a fragile Real Madrid defense in one of Xabi Alonso's first major tests as the new Los Blancos manager. The confirmed starting lineups for both European giants tell the story of a midfield battle decisively won by the French champions, setting the stage for one of the most memorable Club World Cup upsets in history.

The highly anticipated clash, featuring the world's most expensive players and two of the biggest clubs, was billed as a potential final. However, a blistering start saw PSG score three goals in the opening 24 minutes, immediately invalidating any pre-match predictions. This deep dive reveals the exact formations, the key personnel, and the tactical reasons behind the shocking scoreline.

Confirmed Starting Lineups: PSG's Midfield Masterclass vs. Real Madrid's New Era XI

The confirmed lineups for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final highlighted the tactical intentions of both Luis Enrique and Xabi Alonso. PSG deployed a fluid 4-3-3 formation designed for high pressing and midfield control, while Real Madrid's 4-3-3, featuring new signings and a reshuffled defense, struggled to cope with the relentless intensity.

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Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3) - Luis Enrique

• Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (1)
• Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (2), Marquinhos (5, Captain), Lucas Beraldo (35), Nuno Mendes (25)
• Midfielders: Vitinha (17), João Neves (8), Fabián Ruiz (8)
• Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé (10), Gonçalo Ramos (9), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (7)

Real Madrid (4-3-3) - Xabi Alonso

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (1)
• Defenders: Federico Valverde (15), Antonio Rüdiger (22), Raúl Asencio (35), Fran García (20)
• Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni (18), Jude Bellingham (5), Arda Güler (10)
• Forwards: Vinícius Júnior (7), Kylian Mbappé (9), Gonzalo García (30)

Noteworthy Absences & Transfers: Real Madrid's lineup was notable for the inclusion of Kylian Mbappé, who was making one of his first major competitive starts for the club following his high-profile transfer. The absence of key defensive figures like Éder Militão and the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold forced a reshuffle, with Raúl Asencio and Fran García stepping into the starting XI. For PSG, the midfield trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and the clinical Fabián Ruiz proved to be the engine of the devastating performance.

The Tactical Breakdown: How PSG's Midfield Crushed Madrid's 'Galácticos'

The 4-0 scoreline was a direct consequence of a massive tactical mismatch, with Luis Enrique's system completely overwhelming Xabi Alonso's setup. The key to PSG’s dominance was their midfield. The trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabián Ruiz were simply relentless, dictating the tempo and suffocating Real Madrid's creative hub, Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

Fabián Ruiz’s Masterclass: The Spanish midfielder was the undisputed Man of the Match, netting two goals in the 6th and 24th minutes. His first was a precise finish from a well-worked move, and his second was a stunning long-range effort that highlighted the space and time PSG’s midfield was afforded. Ruiz’s performance was a perfect blend of defensive work rate and attacking incision, proving he is a crucial entity in Luis Enrique's tactical framework.

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Real Madrid’s Defensive Collapse: The makeshift Real Madrid defense was exposed early and often. The high-press strategy from PSG's front three—Ousmane Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—forced repeated turnovers in dangerous areas. Dembélé, who scored PSG's second goal in the 9th minute and provided an assist, was electric down the right flank, constantly isolating and beating left-back Fran García. The lack of coordination between Antonio Rüdiger and the young Raúl Asencio was ruthlessly exploited, leading to a feeling of panic that defined the first half for Los Blancos.

Key Player Performances and Match Turning Points

While the scoreline was shocking, the individual performances confirmed PSG's superior form coming into the tournament.

• Fabián Ruiz (PSG): A perfect 10/10 performance. His two goals and overall control of the midfield battle against Tchouaméni and Bellingham were the primary turning points.
• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): His goal and assist in the first 10 minutes provided the early knockout blow. His pace and directness were unmanageable for Real Madrid's backline.
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): All eyes were on the new Real Madrid number 9. He was largely isolated in the final third, managing only one shot on target, a frustrating return for the €200M+ signing. The lack of service from a dominated midfield rendered his world-class talent ineffective.
• Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid): Despite the four goals conceded, the Belgian keeper made several crucial saves to prevent the score from becoming even more humiliating, highlighting the team's overall defensive woes.

The fourth and final goal, scored late in the game by Gonçalo Ramos, was a testament to PSG's sustained intensity and desire to finish the game strongly, confirming their passage to the final against Chelsea.

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Topical Authority & Entity List (15+ Entities)

This match served as a significant barometer for the 2025/2026 season and the new tactical directions of both clubs. For Paris Saint-Germain, the victory validates Luis Enrique's tactics and the club’s renewed focus on a high-pressing, collective team structure, moving past the reliance on individual superstars of the past. The emergence of João Neves as a world-class midfielder alongside Vitinha is a massive positive for the French champions.

For Real Madrid, the defeat signals a harsh reality check for Xabi Alonso. The Club World Cup semi-final exposed significant vulnerabilities, particularly in the defensive transitions and the midfield's ability to handle intense pressure. The team’s reliance on the star power of Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham was insufficient against a cohesive PSG unit. The new era under Alonso, replacing the legendary Carlo Ancelotti, has started with a major disappointment, putting immediate pressure on the Spanish coach to integrate his philosophy quickly.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 tournament, held in the United States, was meant to be Real Madrid's platform to showcase their new "Galácticos" project, but it became a showcase for PSG's tactical superiority. Other key entities and topical terms relevant to this analysis include MetLife Stadium, European Champions, Ligue 1, La Liga, tactical analysis, high-press system, defensive transitions, Raúl Asencio, Fran García, and the overall narrative of Mbappé vs. Dembélé.

In conclusion, the confirmed PSG vs Real Madrid lineups for the Club World Cup semi-final on July 9, 2025, were the foundation for a stunning 4-0 result. Luis Enrique’s perfectly executed 4-3-3, spearheaded by the dominant midfield of Ruiz, Neves, and Vitinha, delivered a tactical masterclass that Madrid, under new management, simply could not answer.