At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, the soccer world pauses this Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Brasília time), to watch the live clash between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semifinal. Broadcast by Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, and DAZN, the match marks Kylian Mbappé’s highly anticipated reunion with PSG, his former club, in a battle for a spot in the grand final against Chelsea. Under Luis Enrique’s command, PSG seeks its first world title, while Real Madrid, led by Xabi Alonso, aims for a sixth intercontinental trophy. The game promises intensity, rivalry, and defining moments, with stars like Vinícius Jr. and Kvaratskhelia on the pitch.
The narrative of the clash is amplified by Mbappé’s story, who left PSG in 2024 after seven years and 256 goals, in a departure marked by tensions and legal disputes. Referee Szymon Marciniak and VAR ensure precision in this high-stakes encounter.
- Game highlights:
- Mbappé faces PSG for the first time since his transfer.
- PSG boasts the tournament’s best defense, conceding just one goal.
- Real Madrid scored 11 goals in five matches in the Club World Cup.
The matchup pits two European giants against each other at a critical moment, with the winner gaining momentum for the final.
👀 PARTIDAZO A LA VISTA. pic.twitter.com/lXzEbwF7kq
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 9, 2025
Historic rivalry on the field
PSG and Real Madrid have clashed 12 times in official competitions, with a slight edge for the Spanish side: five wins, against four for PSG and three draws. The most memorable duel came in the 2022 Champions League round of 16, when Real Madrid overturned a 1-0 loss with a 3-1 comeback at the Santiago Bernabéu, led by Karim Benzema. Mbappé’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2024 added a new chapter to this rivalry, with the player facing criticism from some Parisian fans.
The Club World Cup semifinal is seen as a chance for both clubs to cement their ambitions. PSG, after winning the 2025 Champions League, chases a historic quintuple, while Real Madrid aims to reinforce its global dominance.
Mbappé in the spotlight
Kylian Mbappé, 26, is the match’s protagonist. After scoring 44 goals in 58 games in his first season at Real Madrid, the Frenchman is in a moment of affirmation. In the Club World Cup, he overcame a gastroenteritis that limited him in the group stage and shone in the quarterfinals, scoring a stunning bicycle-kick goal against Borussia Dortmund to secure a 3-2 win. Facing PSG, where he was an idol and the club’s all-time top scorer, is both an emotional and sporting challenge.
Mbappé’s departure from PSG was turbulent. He filed a labor lawsuit claiming 55 million euros in unpaid wages and bonuses, also alleging moral harassment during exit negotiations. Although a criminal complaint was dropped days before the match, off-field tensions heat up the reunion. On the pitch, Mbappé is expected to lead the attack alongside Vinícius Jr. and Gonzalo García, under Xabi Alonso’s guidance.
Path to the semifinal
PSG reached the semifinal with a solid campaign, despite a surprising group-stage loss to Botafogo. The team defeated Atlético Madrid (4-0) and Seattle Sounders, advancing as Group B leaders. In the round of 16, they thrashed Inter Miami 4-0, and in the quarterfinals, they overcame Bayern Munich 2-0, even with two players sent off late in the game. Ousmane Dembélé, Mbappé’s former teammate, scored the decisive goal against the Germans.
Real Madrid dominated Group H, with four wins and a draw against Al-Hilal. In the knockout stages, they eliminated Juventus with a 1-0 win and faced a resilient Borussia Dortmund, winning 3-2 in a thrilling match. Gonzalo García, with four goals, is the tournament’s top scorer and one of Alonso’s key players for the clash.
Injuries impact lineups
PSG faces defensive challenges. Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, sent off against Bayern, are suspended, forcing Luis Enrique to field Lucas Beraldo alongside Marquinhos. The likely lineup is: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia. The attack, led by Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé, has scored 12 goals in the tournament.
- PSG’s strengths:
- Versatile attack, with three players scoring at least two goals.
- Dynamic midfield, with Vitinha and Neves controlling the tempo.
- High pressing, a hallmark of Luis Enrique’s style.
Real Madrid also has defensive issues. Dean Huijsen is suspended, and Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and David Alaba remain injured. Raúl Asencio is expected to start in defense. The probable lineup is: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Asencio, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham; Güler, Mbappé, Vinícius Jr. The attacking trio of Mbappé and Vinícius aims to exploit PSG’s makeshift defense.
Live broadcast and coverage
The match will be broadcast live on multiple platforms, ensuring wide access for fans. Globo airs on free-to-air TV, with narration by Galvão Bueno, while SporTV covers on cable. CazéTV, available on YouTube and Disney+, offers free streaming, and DAZN, the tournament’s official platform, streams in high definition. Portals like Globo Esporte and Lance! provide real-time updates with stats and play-by-play.
Pre-game coverage starts at 2:00 PM on most channels, with tactical analysis and interviews. CazéTV, known for its casual style, plans to engage fans on social media during the match.
The stage for the spectacle
MetLife Stadium, with a capacity of 82,500, is the perfect setting for the clash. The venue, which hosted the 2016 Copa América final, expects a full house, with tickets sold out at prices ranging from $192 to $434, according to SeatPick. PSG fans were boosted by a promotional package including flights, lodging, and tickets for 500 euros, drawing thousands from Paris.
Real Madrid’s preparations faced a hiccup. A storm in Palm Beach delayed the team’s flight, canceling FIFA’s official pre-match commitments, such as the press conference. Still, Xabi Alonso stressed the team’s focus on the game.
Tactical battle between coaches
Luis Enrique and Xabi Alonso face off in a clash of coaching generations. Enrique, with experience from titles like the 2015 Champions League with Barcelona, relies on intensity and quick transitions. Alonso, in his first season at Real Madrid, brings a possession-based, high-pressing philosophy from his Bundesliga-winning tenure at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.
The midfield battle will be crucial. PSG’s Vitinha and João Neves face Real Madrid’s Bellingham and Valverde in a duel of creativity and grit. Each team’s ability to neutralize the opponent could decide the outcome.
The stakes of the semifinal
The semifinal is more than a match: it’s a chance for affirmation. For PSG, defeating Real Madrid would mean overcoming a historic rival and cementing their rise as a global powerhouse. For Real Madrid, a win would reinforce their supremacy and give Mbappé a chance to prove his worth against his former club. The winner faces Chelsea, who eliminated Fluminense, in the July 13 final.
The 2025 Club World Cup, with 32 teams, is the most competitive in history, distributing over $1 billion in prize money. The PSG-Real Madrid semifinal is considered a de facto final, featuring the tournament’s two richest clubs, per Opta Analyst.
Fan atmosphere
On social media, anticipation is sky-high. PSG fans celebrate Dembélé’s form, with 34 goals this season, while Madridistas highlight the Mbappé-Vinícius Jr. duo. Posts on X reflect the heated rivalry, with taunts about Mbappé’s exit and debates over who will prevail. One fan wrote, “Mbappé will silence PSG with a hat-trick,” while another countered, “Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia will teach Real how to play.”
- Match stats:
- PSG: 12 goals scored, 1 conceded in the tournament.
- Real Madrid: 11 goals scored, 4 conceded.
- Mbappé: 5 goals in the Club World Cup, 44 in the season.
Refereeing and technology
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 World Cup final, leads the match, assisted by Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik. The VAR, managed by Tomasz Kwiatkowski, will be key in controversial calls, as seen in the quarterfinals when send-offs were upheld. Goal-line technology and the review system ensure accuracy in this high-tension game.
What to expect from the match
The clash promises balance. PSG’s defensive edge is tempered by the absence of two starting defenders, which Real Madrid’s swift attack could exploit. Conversely, Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia’s speed will test Real’s makeshift defense. Mbappé, with his knack for shining in big games, is Real’s trump card, while PSG relies on its collective strength to handle the pressure of the reunion.
The semifinal brings together talent, history, and rivalry on one of soccer’s grandest stages. With the world watching, PSG and Real Madrid fight for a place in the final and a chance to mark the 2025 season with a global title.
