Overlooking Fluminense and Chelsea? Spain sees Real vs PSG as early final

The Club World Cup semifinal between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, set for Wednesday, July 9, 2025, is already being touted as the tournament’s grand final by the Spanish press, in an analysis that sidelines the other semifinalists, Fluminense and Chelsea. The newspaper “AS” labeled the European clash a “final before the final,” highlighting the teams’ technical quality and key reunions, such as Kylian Mbappé facing his former club. The match, held in the United States, pits two of world football’s biggest clubs against each other, but the Spanish perspective has sparked debate for overlooking the merits of their rivals. Fluminense, coached by Renato Gaúcho, and Chelsea, the English representative, face off in the other semifinal, yet seem overshadowed in the European narrative. The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, defining the first champion of the FIFA-organized tournament’s new format.

The Spanish press’s focus reflects the anticipation surrounding a star-studded matchup. Beyond Mbappé, now playing for Real Madrid, the rivalry between PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, and the Merengue club adds tension. However, the analysis raises questions about respect for the other competitors, particularly Fluminense, representing South America, and Chelsea, with its pedigree in international competitions.

• Semifinal highlights noted by the press:
• Mbappé’s reunion with PSG, his formative club.
• Luis Enrique’s historical rivalry with Real Madrid.
• Expectation of a high-level technical match between European giants.

The Club World Cup, in its first 32-team edition, has reached its final stages with only four clubs remaining. The Spanish narrative, however, seems to have already picked its favorites, drawing criticism from fans on other continents.

Spotlight on the European semifinal

The Spanish press devoted extensive coverage to analyzing the Real Madrid vs. PSG matchup, describing it as the game that will shape the tournament. The newspaper “AS” praised the squads’ quality, naming players like Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid and Ousmane Dembélé of PSG as protagonists of an eagerly awaited spectacle. The article also emphasized the tactical significance of the duel, featuring two top-tier coaches: Carlo Ancelotti for Real and Luis Enrique for PSG.

The outlet claimed the semifinal pits “two European football colossi” against each other, capable of making the game a tournament milestone. Yet, it largely dismisses the other semifinal, treating it as a minor detail. For the Spanish press, the winner of Real Madrid vs. PSG is already the de facto champion, regardless of the final’s opponent.

Reunions fueling the clash

A major draw of the semifinal, per the press, is Kylian Mbappé’s reunion with Paris Saint-Germain. The French striker, who left PSG in 2024 to join Real Madrid, is one of the tournament’s most anticipated stars. His departure from PSG was marred by controversy, adding an emotional layer to the match. Mbappé, who has already scored decisive goals for Real this season, is seen as a key player for the Spanish side.

Additionally, the rivalry between Luis Enrique and Real Madrid also took center stage. The Spanish coach, formerly of Barcelona, Real’s historic rival, has a history of intense clashes against the Merengue club. His tenure at PSG has brought an attacking style, promising an intriguing tactical battle against Ancelotti’s pragmatism.

• Elements making the game special:
• Mbappé facing his former club for the first time.
• Luis Enrique’s storied rivalry with Real Madrid.
• Stars like Vinícius Júnior and Dembélé on the pitch.
• Anticipation of a high-stakes tactical showdown.

Fluminense and Chelsea: The overlooked contenders

While the Spanish press hypes the European duel, Fluminense and Chelsea, facing off in the other semifinal, were largely ignored in the “AS” analysis. Fluminense, led by Renato Gaúcho, enters the World Cup after winning the 2023 Libertadores, a feat that established them as a strong South American representative. The Rio-based club boasts experienced players like Marcelo, a former Real Madrid star, and rising talents like André.

Chelsea, meanwhile, is one of England’s most storied clubs, with a bolstered squad for the 2024/2025 season. The London team, World Cup champions in 2021, aims to repeat the feat but received scant attention in the Spanish narrative. The lack of detailed mentions of both clubs sparked criticism from Brazilian and English fans, who accuse the European press of arrogance.

The new World Cup format

The 2025 Club World Cup marks the debut of an expanded format with 32 teams, compared to the seven-team editions of the past. Hosted in the United States, the tournament began with clubs from all continents, but now only four remain: Real Madrid, PSG, Fluminense, and Chelsea. The FIFA-organized competition aims to boost competitiveness and attract a global audience, yet the Spanish press’s narrative suggests a Eurocentric bias.

The Fluminense vs. Chelsea semifinal, also set for Wednesday, will determine the opponent of the Real Madrid vs. PSG winner. Though less hyped, the match promises balance, with Fluminense banking on South American grit and Chelsea on tactical consistency.

History of Real vs. PSG clashes

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Real Madrid and PSG have faced off in high-stakes matches before, particularly in the Champions League. A memorable encounter came in the 2021/2022 round of 16, when Real Madrid staged an epic comeback to eliminate PSG at the Santiago Bernabéu. Karim Benzema was the standout, scoring a second-half hat-trick.

Now, in the Club World Cup, the teams meet again in a different context but with the same rivalry. Real Madrid, the current Champions League champions, seeks to maintain its dominance, while PSG aims for its first World Cup title.

Stars on the pitch

The Real Madrid vs. PSG clash brings together some of football’s biggest names. For Real, beyond Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, players like Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo are pivotal. PSG counters with Dembélé, Vitinha, and Achraf Hakimi, who have shone this season.

The squads’ individual quality fuels the anticipation for the semifinal. The Spanish press bets the game will hinge on moments of brilliance from their stars, with Mbappé and Vinícius as the top candidates to steal the show.

Tournament organization

The Club World Cup is being played across U.S. stadiums, with the final set for Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. The choice of the U.S. as host reflects FIFA’s push to grow football’s market in North America, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching.

The competition has drawn significant global attention, with broadcasts in multiple countries and sold-out tickets for the semifinals. The Real Madrid vs. PSG match, in particular, is seen as the week’s main event, attracting fans worldwide.

World Cup numbers

The tournament has posted impressive figures in its first expanded edition. Over 1.2 million fans attended the early-stage matches, and global viewership exceeded 500 million, per FIFA’s preliminary data. The Real Madrid vs. PSG semifinal is expected to break attendance and viewership records, given the clubs’ popularity.

• Tournament stats so far:
• 32 teams started the competition.
• 28 matches played in earlier rounds.
• Average of 2.8 goals per game.
• Over 50,000 fans per match in knockout stages.

Final expectations

The World Cup final, set for Sunday, July 13, will crown the first champion of the tournament’s new format. Regardless of the semifinal outcomes, the decider promises to be a landmark for global football, with storied clubs vying for the title. The Spanish narrative, however, suggests the path to the trophy runs through the Real Madrid vs. PSG clash, a view that may underestimate the other contenders.

Semifinalist tidbits

Each of the four remaining clubs carries a unique story. Real Madrid, with 14 Champions League titles, is the most decorated in international competitions. PSG, despite its recent rise, still seeks its first World Cup trophy. Fluminense, the sole South American representative, brings its passionate fanbase and Renato Gaúcho’s experience. Chelsea, with its financial and tactical strength, is a formidable foe.

• Facts about the clubs:
• Real Madrid: 8 World Cup titles, a historical record.
• PSG: First World Cup semifinal appearance.
• Fluminense: 2023 Libertadores champions.
• Chelsea: Last European club to win the World Cup, in 2021.