The highly anticipated semi-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to take place today, July 9, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York. Football fans around the globe are eagerly awaiting this match, which pits the reigning Champions League winner, PSG, against Real Madrid, the all-time king of Europe. The winner will face Chelsea in the final, who booked their place after beating Fluminense 2-0.
This match is more than just a semi-final; it's a clash between history and the present, showcasing talent at every turn. Real Madrid are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing end to the season and become the first club to win the new Club World Cup, while PSG are looking to add a world title to the treble they won in the 2024/25 season.
PSG enters the semi-final on a high, having dominated Group B and delivered a masterclass against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, the team has displayed a potent mix of order, talent, and ruthlessness. PSG also achieved their best season in club history in the 2024-25 campaign, winning Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions and the UEFA Champions League trophy. If they win the FIFA Club World Cup, they can add a fifth trophy to their spectacular season, completing a rare quintuple of titles in one season.
Real Madrid, under new boss Xabi Alonso, are looking to equal one of their all-time best records for most wins in a single season. After already setting a new record for the most matches played in a season (67), Real Madrid now stand just one win away from matching their historic tally of 46 victories in a single campaign, achieved during the 2011–12 and 2013–14 seasons. Since Alonso took over, Madrid has secured four wins and one draw in five Club World Cup fixtures.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM ET. Szymon Marciniak will be the referee in charge of the game.
Both teams have star players who could potentially decide the outcome of the match. For PSG, Désiré Doué was a standout performer in the UEFA Champions League final, while Real Madrid will rely on the likes of Vinicius Jr. and possibly Gonzalo Garcia. However, Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappe due to a stomach illness, and PSG will miss William Pacho and Lucas Hernandez due to red cards.
The goalkeepers, Gianluigi Donnarumma for PSG and Thibaut Courtois for Real Madrid, have also been in excellent form throughout the Club World Cup. Courtois has a save percentage of 90.5%, just behind Donnarumma, making them tough to beat.
Over 70,000 fans attended the first semi-final at MetLife Stadium, and a massive crowd is expected for the PSG vs. Real Madrid match.
