On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Real Madrid takes on Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup semifinal at 4:00 PM (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Coached by Xabi Alonso, the Spanish side faces a critical challenge without right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, sidelined at the last minute due to muscle discomfort. The match, which determines Chelsea’s final opponent, will be broadcast live on Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, and DAZN. Real Madrid’s lineup has been confirmed, with tactical adjustments to compensate for the Englishman’s absence. The clash also marks Kylian Mbappé’s return as a starter, facing his former club in a highly anticipated duel. A win is vital for Real Madrid to keep their hopes alive for the revamped tournament’s inaugural title.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence, a key player in ball distribution and playmaking, forces Xabi Alonso to adapt in the right-back position. Federico Valverde, typically a midfielder, fills in, while the rest of the squad retains the core that defeated Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals. The live broadcast is expected to capture every moment of this clash between European giants, with over 76,000 fans anticipated at the stadium.
- Game highlights:
- Alexander-Arnold’s absence for Real Madrid.
- Valverde filling in at right-back.
- Mbappé starting against PSG.
- Live broadcast across multiple platforms.
The Madrid fanbase is closely watching Alonso’s strategies to outmaneuver PSG, who also face significant absences, including Pacho and Lucas Hernandez.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 9, 2025
🆚 @PSG_espanol pic.twitter.com/0KMxoLFbGd
Impact of Alexander-Arnold’s absence
Trent Alexander-Arnold, signed by Real Madrid in May 2025 after a storied career at Liverpool, has become a cornerstone of Xabi Alonso’s system. His game vision and pinpoint long passes are vital to the team’s attacking build-up. The muscle discomfort, detected hours before the match, rules him out of the semifinal, raising concerns among supporters.
Without the full-back, Real Madrid loses quality in right-side ball progression, potentially exposing them to PSG’s attacks, particularly from Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes on the left. In a pre-match interview, Xabi Alonso expressed confidence in Valverde’s ability to adapt but acknowledged the challenge of replacing a player with Alexander-Arnold’s unique skill set.
Real Madrid’s confirmed lineup
To face PSG, Xabi Alonso has set Real Madrid’s lineup as: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Bellingham; Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García, and Mbappé. Opting for Valverde at right-back reflects the need to maintain defensive stability, while Arda Güler earns a spot in midfield for his creativity.
- Lineup breakdown:
- Goalkeeper: Courtois, in top form, anchors the goal.
- Defense: Valverde steps in, joined by Asencio, Rüdiger, and Fran García.
- Midfield: Tchouameni holds, with Güler and Bellingham creating.
- Attack: Vinícius, Gonzalo García, and Mbappé form a dynamic trio.
In addition to Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid is without Dean Huijsen, suspended after a red card against Borussia Dortmund. These absences push Alonso to rely on a balanced squad, emphasizing the attackers’ speed to exploit gaps in PSG’s defense.
Tactical adjustments without the starting full-back
Alexander-Arnold’s absence requires tweaks to Real Madrid’s tactical setup. Typically, the full-back acts as a playmaker, drifting into midfield to create numerical advantages. With Valverde in his place, the team is likely to adopt a more cautious approach on the right, with Tchouameni providing extra defensive cover.
In attack, Bellingham and Güler will be tasked with linking midfield to the forwards. Vinícius Júnior, on the left, will be key in challenging Hakimi, while Mbappé, playing centrally, will have freedom to roam and create chances. Alonso’s strategy hinges on quick transitions, leveraging the front three’s pace.
Live broadcast and coverage
The Real Madrid vs. PSG showdown will have extensive coverage in Brazil, catering to all audiences. Globo airs it on free-to-air TV, while SporTV broadcasts on cable. For streaming fans, CazéTV offers free access on YouTube, and DAZN streams on its platform. Globo’s ge.globo.com provides real-time updates with highlights, stats, and videos.
- Where to watch:
- Globo (free-to-air TV).
- SporTV (cable TV).
- CazéTV (YouTube, free).
- DAZN (streaming).
- Real-time updates on ge.globo.com.
Viewership is expected to break records, driven by the match’s star power and the presence of players like Mbappé, Vinícius, and Kvaratskhelia.
Real Madrid’s journey to the semifinal
Real Madrid reached the semifinal after a strong Club World Cup campaign. In the group stage, they drew with Al-Hilal (1-1) and defeated Pachuca and RB Salzburg. In the round of 16, they edged Juventus 1-0, and in the quarterfinals, they overcame Borussia Dortmund 3-2, with Mbappé scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
The team faced setbacks, including Mbappé’s early absence due to gastroenteritis and injuries to Carvajal and Endrick. Despite this, Xabi Alonso kept the squad competitive, with Gonzalo García leading the tournament in goals and Vinícius Júnior topping assists.
PSG’s absences and lineup
PSG, Real Madrid’s opponent, also grapples with key absences. Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, sent off against Bayern Munich, are out, and Mukiele remains injured. Luis Enrique has lined up: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha; Doué, Dembélé, and Kvaratskhelia.
The French side relies on Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia’s speed to exploit gaps left by Valverde at right-back. Marquinhos, the defensive leader, will focus on neutralizing Mbappé, while Vitinha and João Neves aim to control midfield.
Head-to-head history
Real Madrid and PSG have clashed 12 times in official competitions, with five wins for Madrid, four for PSG, and three draws. Their last meeting, in 2022, saw Real Madrid triumph 3-1 in the Champions League. The rivalry has intensified with Mbappé’s transfer, as he faces his former club for the first time as a Real Madrid starter.
Key factors for the live match
Valverde’s performance at right-back will be pivotal for Real Madrid. If he can neutralize Kvaratskhelia, the team may maintain defensive balance. In attack, the synergy between Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham will be crucial to breaking through PSG’s defense, which is weakened by absences.
- Key points to watch:
- Valverde’s adaptation at right-back.
- Mbappé’s impact against his former club.
- Courtois’ reliability in critical moments.
- Exploitation of PSG’s defensive gaps.
Club World Cup stats
The revamped tournament averages 2.8 goals per match and draws large crowds, with 76,000 spectators at prior MetLife Stadium games. Real Madrid has scored eight goals but conceded six, hinting at defensive vulnerabilities PSG might target.
The semifinal is set to be one of the Club World Cup’s most competitive matches. Despite missing Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid boasts a star-studded roster and a promising coach in Xabi Alonso. The live broadcast will capture the match’s intensity, with fans from both sides creating an electric atmosphere at the stadium.
