PSG Hit by Club World Cup Blow as Two Players Banned for Chelsea Clash
- PSG cruised past Real Madrid with a 4-0 victory, scoring three goals in the first 24 minutes in a semi-final demolition at MetLife Stadium
- Two key PSG defenders will miss Sunday’s final against Chelsea after receiving two-match bans for red cards in the quarter-final
- Despite receiving his second yellow card of the tournament, Joao Neves is eligible to play in the final as yellow cards are reset after the quarter-final stage
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Paris Saint-Germain have been hit with a major setback just days before their highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Chelsea.
The French giants earned their place in Sunday’s final after an awesome 4-0 victory over Real Madrid, but two key defenders have now been ruled out due to suspension.
Source: Getty Images
PSG thrash Real Madrid 4-0
PSG delivered a ruthless performance in their semi-final at the MetLife Stadium, dismantling Real Madrid with three goals in the first 24 minutes.
Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Raul Asencio’s defensive error, moments after Thibaut Courtois fouled Ousmane Dembele—but the referee played advantage.
Dembele then doubled the lead just three minutes later, capitalising on a mishit clearance by Antonio Rudiger. Ruiz struck again for PSG’s third after a slick one-two between Achraf Hakimi and Dembele.
Real Madrid, without the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, struggled to respond, and Goncalo Ramos added a fourth in the dying minutes to seal a dominant win.
The result leaves PSG one game away from a fifth trophy in 12 months, having already won four titles in the 2024/25 season, including the Champions League.
Two key PSG stars to miss Chelsea clash
But Luis Enrique will have to navigate the final without two crucial defenders—William Pacho and Lucas Hernandez.
Both players are serving suspensions stemming from their red cards in the quarter-final win over Bayern Munich.
Pacho was shown a straight red by referee Anthony Taylor for a reckless studs-up challenge on Leon Goretzka.
Source: Getty Images
Moments later, Hernandez followed him off the pitch after elbowing Raphael Guerreiro in the jaw.
The disciplinary committee handed both players two-match bans, ruling them out of Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea.
PSG defensive crisis vs Chelsea final
Paris Saint-Germain face a major defensive crisis heading into their FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea.
With William Pacho and Lucas Hernández suspended, coach Luis Enrique must urgently rebuild his backline. Pacho has been a consistent and commanding partner to Marquinhos, bringing calmness under pressure and strength in aerial duels.
Hernández, though often used as a substitute, adds valuable experience and leadership when PSG are under threat.
Their absence now puts significant responsibility on young Lucas Beraldo, who is expected to partner Marquinhos at centre-back despite limited game time this season.
Full-back Nuno Mendes will also need to stay disciplined defensively while providing attacking runs down the flank, making his role even more demanding.
How will PSG cope without Pacho and Hernandez?
Pacho has established himself as a key figure in Luis Enrique’s backline, forming a reliable partnership with captain Marquinhos.
In the semi-final against Real Madrid, Enrique turned to Lucas Beraldo to fill the gap left by the suspended Pacho.
As for Hernandez, he has mostly featured as a dependable option off the bench, with Nuno Mendes regularly starting ahead of him at left-back.
Why Joao Neves is still eligible for the final
Despite picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Real Madrid, Joao Neves will be available for the final.
The Portuguese midfielder was booked by referee Szymon Marciniak shortly before halftime in the semi-final.
However, according to FIFA’s tournament rules, as reported by Sport Bible, yellow cards are wiped clean after the quarter-final stage, allowing Neves to feature in the final against Chelsea.
Real Madrid fans slam Rudiger and Asencio
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the fallout from the heavy defeat was immediate, with furious Real Madrid supporters singling out Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio for blame.
The centre-back duo struggled throughout the game, each committing costly errors that led to PSG’s early goals.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
