What went wrong for Real Madrid? International press reacts to the Merengues’ humiliation at the Club World Cup
“Puppets in PSG’s hands” — The international media delivers a brutal assessment of Real Madrid’s crushing 4-0 defeat in the Club World Cup semifinal.
Real Madrid’s shocking 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal has sparked widespread criticism across the global football media. While PSG advanced in dominant fashion, the Merengues were labeled as “humiliated” and “disconnected,” with new manager Xabi Alonso taking the brunt of the blame.
Spanish Media: ‘PSG Made Real Madrid Look Like Puppets’
The Spanish press was particularly scathing in its reaction. According to Marca, mistakes by Marco Asensio and Antonio Rüdiger within the opening ten minutes “ruined the match” and allowed PSG to take total control.
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AS went further, claiming Real Madrid were “a puppet in the hands of PSG.” Journalist Sergio López pointed to alarming stats: seven PSG players completed more passes than any Real Madrid player. Madrid’s top passer was Aurélien Tchouaméni with just 39 passes, while PSG’s Vitinha made 105.
French Media: ‘New Real Madrid Torn Apart’
France’s L’Équipe ran with the headline: “How PSG took advantage of Real Madrid’s mistakes off the ball.” The report highlighted the tactical chaos in Alonso’s setup and PSG’s ruthless exploitation of space.
Le Parisien didn’t hold back on the irony. Referring to Madrid’s famous Galácticos era, the outlet wrote: “Paris is magical. Paris is galactic.” The site even mocked Real Madrid’s presence, writing:
“Kickoff was delayed by 10 minutes… and it’s possible the Spanish team never even showed up.”
Portuguese Press: ‘Suicide Mission’ by Xabi Alonso
O Jogo called the loss a “humiliation in New Jersey,” while Record labeled Alonso’s strategy as a “suicide mission.”
The Portuguese outlets were critical of Alonso’s decision to bench Dean Huijsen, a key creator from the back. Instead, the coach relied on an unbalanced front three Mbappé, Vini Jr., and Gonzalo García that exposed the midfield, leaving PSG free to dominate possession.
They also noted Gonçalo Ramos’ goal celebration, which honored his late teammate Diogo Jota, adding an emotional element to the Parisian triumph.
Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘Like a Champions League Final’
Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport described the clash as “what should have been the real World Cup final.” Columnist Fabio Licari compared it to PSG’s 5-0 dismantling of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, calling Madrid’s defeat “just as humiliating.”
Sky Sports: Real Madrid’s Future Without Modric
The UK’s Sky Sports took a forward-looking approach, suggesting that Real Madrid must now rebuild after a “humiliating end” to their tournament.
The outlet emphasized that Xabi Alonso’s toughest challenge will be managing a post-Modric Madrid. The legendary Croatian midfielder is departing the club after 13 years and 28 titles, heading to AC Milan.
Tactical Breakdown: What Went Wrong?
- Defensive Disarray: Alonso’s choice to drop Huijsen backfired, as Madrid lacked composure in their buildup.
- Midfield Overrun: A front-heavy formation left Madrid exposed in central areas.
- Lack of Identity: Alonso’s team failed to implement a coherent pressing or possession strategy.
- Mbappé & Vini Jr. Underwhelming: Both stars struggled to impact the match, raising questions about their adaptation under Alonso.
