The PSG players celebrated three times. © APA / STU FORSTER

Paris continues where it left off against Inter

Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain have won the first top match of the Club World Cup. Following their 5-0 victory against Inter in the Champions League final, they followed up with another decisive victory.

June 15, 2025

From: apa/dpa

The French side beat Atlético Madrid 4-0 in Pasadena, north of Los Angeles. Fabian Ruiz (19th minute) and Vitinha (45th+1) scored the first-half goals. Senny Mayulu made it 3-0 (87th minute), and after VAR intervention, Kangin Lee made it 4-0 with a handball penalty (90th+6). The goal that appeared to have brought Madrid back down by Julian Alvarez (58th minute) was disallowed; after VAR intervention, it was ruled a foul in the buildup.

In the intense midday heat of over 30 degrees Celsius, PSG enjoyed more than 75 percent possession in the first half. Atletico defended with their usual discipline and created good chances, but were unlucky in the finish.

Heat and traffic chaos

PSG missed several good opportunities to score more goals before scoring their third goal. Ousmane Dembélé was missing from the Paris Saint-Germain squad. The Ballon d'Or nominee was also not on the bench. Many of the 80.619 spectators, according to official figures, arrived at the stadium significantly late due to the massive traffic chaos surrounding the Rose Bowl.

FC Bayern Munich had already caused a stir with a 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City on Sunday afternoon. Italy's representatives at the Club World Cup, Inter and Juventus, will not begin their tournament until Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.