Luis Enrique Makes Bold Xabi Alonso Statement After PSG Humiliate Real Madrid in Club World Cup Semifinal | OneFootball

PSG cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, booking a spot in Sunday’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea. The French side stormed out with three goals in the opening half-hour, leaving Real Madrid stunned and unable to respond.

The breakthrough came after a costly mistake from Raúl Asencio. Ousmane Dembélé pounced inside the box and forced a save from Thibaut Courtois, but Fabián Ruiz was quickest to react and slotted in the rebound with a calm left-footed finish.

PSG doubled their lead shortly after when Antonio Rüdiger, under pressure from Dembélé, gave the ball away near his own area. Dembélé capitalized, raced in on goal, and buried a low shot past Courtois with his left foot.

The third came just before halftime following a sharp team move. Achraf Hakimi broke down the right and picked out Ruiz in the middle, who shook off Federico Valverde and finished confidently with his left.

Late in the match, Hakimi again burst down the flank and squared the ball to Bradley Barcola in the box. Barcola kept his cool, laying it off for Gonçalo Ramos, who spun and fired home to seal the rout.

What Luis Enrique said about Xabi Alonso

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After PSG’s four-goal win over Los Blancos, manager Luis Enrique spoke to the media and defended Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso from any criticism that he might receive from the Spanish media and other outlets that cover the club.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s reflected or not, it’s what was on the scoreboard,” Enrique said (h/t Defensa Central). “These are two different projects. Mine has been going on for two seasons and Xabi has already shown his level, but you can’t compare. You can’t assess anything because he hasn’t had time to work or do anything.”

“It’s due to the team’s generosity. It was said that we didn’t have leaders and we didn’t score goals, but since January you’ve seen what we are. We put everything at the service of the group. It doesn’t matter who plays. Today we’ve seen a decisive, unique and differential player. I hope he’s fit for the final.”