In a clash set to thrill the football world, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid face off this Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Brasília time) in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal. The match, held at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, pits two European giants against each other for a spot in the final against Chelsea. The game, marked by historic rivalries and star players, will be broadcast live on Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, and DAZN, with an expected global audience. Kylian Mbappé’s reunion with his former club and defensive absences on both sides add even more excitement to this classic.
PSG arrives in high spirits after defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarterfinals, while Real Madrid overcame Borussia Dortmund in a hard-fought 3-2 victory. The semifinal is one of the most anticipated moments of the tournament, which debuts an expanded 32-team format. Beyond prestige, a spot in the final guarantees at least $30 million for the runner-up, with the winner potentially earning up to $40 million.
For fans, the match is a chance to see stars like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembélé in action. However, suspensions and injuries force tactical changes on both sides, promising bold strategies from coaches Luis Enrique and Xabi Alonso.
- What’s at stake: A place in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea, scheduled for July 13.
- Match highlights: Historic rivalry, Mbappé’s reunion with PSG, and defensive absences.
- Expectation: An open game with potent attacks and depleted defenses, decided by fine margins.
Live broadcast and viewing options
The match will have extensive coverage in Brazil, accessible on multiple platforms. Globo airs the game on free-to-air TV with narration by Luis Roberto, while SporTV, on cable, features Luiz Carlos Jr. and detailed tactical analysis. CazéTV, available for free on YouTube and via Disney+, is an accessible option, with Raony Pacheco leading the broadcast. For streaming fans, DAZN, the tournament’s official platform, offers the game at no extra cost to subscribers. Outside Brazil, a VPN like NordVPN may be needed to access the streams.
Fans can also follow pre-game updates in real-time on the clubs’ social media and platforms like RM Play and RMTV, which cover Real Madrid’s behind-the-scenes. The global audience is expected to reach millions, underscoring the match’s significance in the sports landscape.
Probable lineups for the clash
PSG, led by Luis Enrique, faces defensive challenges due to suspensions. Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, sent off against Bayern, are out, and Brazilian Lucas Beraldo is likely to pair with Marquinhos in defense. In attack, Ousmane Dembélé, recently recovered from injury, is a doubt, possibly giving way to Bradley Barcola. PSG’s probable lineup is:
- Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz; Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé (or Bradley Barcola), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Real Madrid, under Xabi Alonso, also grapples with defensive absences. Dean Huijsen, sent off against Dortmund, is suspended, and Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and David Alaba remain injured. Raúl Asencio is expected in defense, while the attack hinges on whether Kylian Mbappé, recovered from gastroenteritis, starts over Gonzalo García, the tournament’s top scorer with four goals. Real Madrid’s probable lineup is:
- Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Fran García; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Arda Güler, Gonzalo García (or Kylian Mbappé), Vinícius Júnior.
History of clashes between the giants
PSG and Real Madrid have met 12 times in official competitions, with remarkable balance. Real won five matches, PSG four, and three ended in draws. Each team scored 16 goals in these encounters, indicating typically open games with plenty of chances. Their most recent clash, in March 2022, saw Real triumph 3-1, with a Karim Benzema hat-trick in the Champions League round of 16. In knockout ties, PSG prevailed in the 1990s, while Real Madrid won in 2018 and 2022.
This history suggests the match will hinge on small details, with both teams exploiting their opponent’s defensive vulnerabilities. Mbappé’s reunion with PSG adds an emotional layer, as the Frenchman, now at Real Madrid, faces his former club for the first time since his transfer.
Recent results for both teams
PSG is enjoying a historic season, having secured a Treble (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Champions League). In the Club World Cup, the French side eliminated Inter Miami (4-0) and Bayern Munich (2-0), alongside victories over Atlético de Madrid (4-0) and Seattle Sounders (2-0) in the group stage. Their only loss was to Botafogo (1-0), also in the group phase.
- 07/05/2025: PSG 2-0 Bayern Munich
- 06/29/2025: PSG 4-0 Inter Miami
- 06/23/2025: Seattle Sounders 0-2 PSG
- 06/19/2025: PSG 0-1 Botafogo
- 06/15/2025: PSG 4-0 Atlético de Madrid
Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrives unbeaten in the tournament, with four wins and one draw. After a trophyless season, the Merengues see the Club World Cup as a chance for redemption. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Borussia Dortmund (3-2), and in the group stage, they overcame Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and other opponents.
- 07/05/2025: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
- 07/01/2025: Real Madrid 2-0 Juventus
- 06/28/2025: Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca
- 06/24/2025: Real Madrid 2-2 Al-Hilal
- 06/20/2025: Real Madrid 4-1 other opponent (unspecified)
Top scorers in the spotlight
For PSG, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué have shone, with three and two goals, respectively, in the tournament. Dembélé, despite limited minutes, scored a decisive goal against Bayern. For Real Madrid, Gonzalo García leads with four goals, followed by Vinícius Júnior with three. Mbappé, despite a quiet start, scored his first goal in the tournament against Dortmund, signaling a potential resurgence.
Both teams’ offensive prowess, averaging over one goal per first half in the Club World Cup, suggests a lively match with clear chances for both sides.
Refereeing crew for the duel
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, one of Europe’s most experienced officials, will officiate the match. He will be assisted by Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik, also from Poland, with Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria as the fourth official. In the VAR booth, Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland) and Rob Dieperink (Netherlands) will handle reviews. Marciniak is known for firm decisions in high-stakes games, such as Champions League finals, ensuring tight control of the contest.
Weather forecast at MetLife Stadium
New Jersey has been hit by a tropical storm since Tuesday, July 8, with moderate rain and winds that may affect the pitch. For the match afternoon, the forecast predicts cloudy skies, a 70% chance of light rain, and temperatures around 22°C. High humidity, near 80%, could make the field slippery, requiring caution from players, especially in high-speed plays.
Tickets for the semifinal
Tickets for the match are available through Ticketmaster, the official partner of the Club World Cup. Prices range from $50 (about R$280) for the cheapest seats to $1,800 (R$10,300) for premium sections. Demand has been high, with expectations of a full house at MetLife Stadium, which holds 82,500 spectators.
Trivia about the matchup
The PSG vs. Real Madrid clash is steeped in stories and coincidences that heighten anticipation.
- Mbappé’s reunion: The Frenchman, who left PSG in 2024, faces his former club for the first time, under pressure to prove his worth at Real Madrid.
- Xabi Alonso vs. Luis Enrique: Both coaches, former elite players, meet for the first time in an official competition, bringing distinct tactical approaches.
- Balanced history: The 12 matches between the clubs have never seen a scoreline with more than a three-goal margin, indicating tightly contested games.
- Record prize money: The 2025 Club World Cup offers up to $125 million to the champion, the largest in the tournament’s history.
Expected tactics and strategies
Luis Enrique is likely to rely on PSG’s attacking intensity, leveraging the flanks with Hakimi and Nuno Mendes to feed Kvaratskhelia and Doué. Pacho’s absence forces a more cautious defense, with Beraldo tasked with containing Vinícius Júnior. Xabi Alonso, who took over Real Madrid after Carlo Ancelotti’s move to the Brazilian national team, prioritizes quick transitions, with Bellingham and Valverde linking midfield to attack. The choice between Mbappé and García in attack could define Real’s approach, with the young Spaniard offering more movement and the Frenchman bringing decisiveness.
The match promises to test both defenses, as both teams struggled with suspensions in the quarterfinals and rely on makeshift defenders. A close scoreline with goals on both sides is expected, reflecting the attacking quality of PSG and Real Madrid.
Predictions for the clash
Experts predict a balanced game, with slight favoritism for PSG due to their defensive consistency (only one goal conceded in the tournament). A 2-1 scoreline for the French side is the most common bet, with Kvaratskhelia and Vinícius Júnior as likely protagonists. However, Real Madrid’s tradition in international competitions makes them a formidable opponent, especially with Mbappé potentially decisive against his former team.
